Twitter has confirmed plans to allow users to purchase verified account status on the platform.

In an update for Apple devices, the company said the feature will be open, in select countries, to users who decide to sign up for the Twitter Blue service for $7.99 per month. ).

Brazil is not on the list of countries where this sale should be offered initially and there is still no information on what will happen to profiles that already have the verification seal (understand below).

The policy change is controversial, amid fears the platform could be inundated with fake accounts.

The decision comes after the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, who on Friday (04/11) laid off around half of the company’s workforce.

The highly sought-after blue verification badge was previously only available to high-level or influential individuals and organizations who were asked to confirm their identity.

This verification badge was used as a sign that a profile is authentic and is a key tool to help users identify trustworthy information on the platform.

The policy change fuels concerns that any user willing to pay a monthly fee could pose as politicians, celebrities or journalists.

Musk, the world’s richest person, appears to be seeking to diversify Twitter’s revenue following its takeover of the company in a $44 billion deal.

On Friday, the billionaire said Twitter was losing more than $4 million a day, insisting it gave him no “choice” to lay off around half of the company’s 7,500 employees.

The cuts – along with Musk’s fierce advocacy for free speech – have sparked speculation that Twitter may be reducing its content moderation efforts.

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However, Musk insisted that the company’s position on material deemed harmful remains “absolutely unchanged”.

On Saturday (5/11), a senior UN official, Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, urged Musk to “ensure that human rights are at the heart of Twitter’s management.”

The unusual UN intervention highlighted the dismissal of Twitter’s entire human rights team, saying it was “not an encouraging start” under Musk.

There was no immediate response from Twitter.

Few details have been released regarding the verification policy change. Twitter’s update said the changes would initially only apply to the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

A series of tweets from Musk himself suggested the changes would be rolled out globally after being seen in early countries.

It was unclear what would happen to profiles that already had a blue mark – or if Twitter still planned to “verify” a user in addition to charging a subscription.

Responding to a user who asked what would happen to existing verified profiles, Musk said the timeline for implementing the changes was “a few months.”

Responding to another question about the risk of users pretending to be well-known personalities, he said Twitter would “suspend the account trying to impersonate and continue with the money.”

Anticipating more future changes, Musk said Twitter will soon allow users to attach long texts to tweets, “ending the nonsense of laptop screenshots.”

On Saturday, Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey addressed the mass layoffs, apologizing to employees for what happened at his former company.

Dorsey, who stepped down as CEO in November and left the board in May, said he was aware the Twitter team was “angry” with him.

“I take responsibility for everyone in this situation: I increased the size of the company very quickly. I apologize for that.”

Dorsey seemed to approve of the need for layoffs. Earlier this year, he voiced support for Musk’s takeover.

A number of big brands have halted ad spending on Twitter in recent days amid the corporate turmoil.

Musk has sought to reduce reliance on the ad platform – and Saturday’s update also promised “half the ads”.

– This text was originally published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-63533477