Existing subscribers will still have access to their account, said the person who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The move was previously reported by the website. platforms.
The company also reinstated “official” badges for high-profile accounts, with the gray badge reappearing below company profiles and major media outlets on Friday based on an approved internal list, according to the person. The ID Marker was released earlier this week before being scrapped.
Twitter is struggling with imposter accounts as the company allowed paying subscribers to get verified blue checkmarks. An account claiming to be Nintendo Inc. posted an image of Super Mario holding up a middle finger, while another posing as pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. tweeted that insulin was now free, forcing the company to apologize. An alleged Tesla Inc. account joked about the automaker’s safety record.
“To combat phishing, we’ve added an ‘Official’ label to some accounts,” Twitter support tweeted on Friday.
Elon Musk tweeted the same day that all parody accounts must include “parody” in their name.
The world’s richest man, who acquired Twitter last month for $44 billion, faces a series of challenges as major advertisers pull out of the platform amid concerns about the company’s ability to do against imposters and incitement to hatred. Musk, who has also seen resignations among his leadership team, said this week in his first speech to employees that the company could face bankruptcy, Bloomberg News previously reported.