TWITTER’s removal of the blue check mark for many verified accounts worldwide could cause massive public trust issues, according to the National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division (NBI CCD). 

Under CEO Elon Musk, Twitter has begun purging the blue check marks from users who have not signed up for its paid Twitter Blue subscription service. Among them are celebrities, politicians, journalists, media agencies, government agencies, academics, and experts.

Without a clear means of identifying the official accounts of Twitter users who are public figures, people may have a hard time knowing who to trust or believing in anything on the social media site, according to Senior Agent Efren Abantao, Executive Officer of the NBI CCD. 

“Kasi nagtitiwala tayo dati dahil may badge. Sa ngayon mag-i-ingat na tayo sa lahat ng nagcocommunicate kasi wala na ‘yung badge. Problem is baka hindi na natin pagkatiwalaan lahat,” Abantao told republicasia. 

Concerns have also been raised that the Twitter Blue service could cause massive disinformation, simply because anybody could pay for a blue check mark and appear to be authentic.

“Kasi hindi naman nagkaroon ng thorough validation ng identity ang Twitter before nag-issue ng badge. More on payment lang di ba? So the basis of authenticity is ‘MONEY’?” he said. 

Previously, the verified badge represented by a blue check right next to the name of social media users was a tool to help people find the real account of people, brands, and government offices. Once an account is verified, the public can be sure that the account is what it is claiming to be. 

But with the disappearance of the blue check, the public would have to do extensive research before buying into information released by these now unverified accounts, said Abantao. 

“You have to verify every info, so dapat marami kang source that will corroborate its authenticity,” he said. 

It can be a good thing

Much as it may sound disturbing, Abantao believes that Twitter’s latest move can be helpful because people will be forced to be more skeptical of what they read on Twitter.

“I think for the majority, it will be good. Kasi hindi ka na magtitiwala agad. Kasi kung maraming pera, magkakaroon ng badge and yet pwede mag spread ng misinformation,” he said. 

PH celebrities also lose blue checkmarks

In the Philippines, several personalities are among those who have lost their Twitter account blue check. They include Lea Salonga, Karen Davila, Darren Espanto, Janice de Belen, Chito Miranda and Ruffa Gutierrez. 

Most of them asked if they are supposed to pay to get their verification back.