Updated 1:00 p.m. EST — Musk has already decided to do away with Twitter's grey "Official" label for certain accounts, sharing in a tweet that he has "just killed it" hours after its inception.
Musk continued in a follow-up tweet that the "Blue check will be the great leveler."
Original story — Elon Musk's first big change to Twitter is expected to roll out today in the newly revamped, $7.99 subscription service Twitter Blue, which will offer a new verification checkmark system. But what does this mean for you?
If you thought you could subscribe to the service today, receive your verification check mark, and then pretend to be your favorite celebrity, you might want to wait to shell out the $8. The site has introduced new "official" tags for certain accounts.
Twitter employee Esther Crawford shared an update on the social media site to her personal feed, explaining that many needed clarification about distinguishing between Twitter Blue subscribers and official accounts.
She says this "is why we're introducing the 'Official' label to select accounts when we launch" Twitter Blue.
When it comes to who will get the new "official" tag on their count, not everyone who previously had a certification checkmark will receive it.
"Not all previously verified accounts will get the 'Official' label and the label is not available for purchase," Crawford tweeted. "Accounts that will receive it include government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers and some public figures."
Crawford also gave an update on the anticipated Twitter Blue subscription service and how the verification process will work, as it's much different than the old process.
"The new Twitter Blue does not include ID verification – it's an opt-in, paid subscription that offers a blue checkmark and access to select features," Crawford said. "We'll continue to experiment with ways to differentiate between account types."
It was reported by The New York Times that the service would launch the day after Election Day, although it had appeared to be released last weekend in an update for the site's app.
As for those who currently have their verification check marks but aren't planning on paying for the subscription service, it is still unknown if they will keep or lose the badge. Early reports suggested it could disappear.
Another worry users had revolved around accounts paying for the service and then impersonating someone else.
Musk shared that anyone who gets a checkmark that is found to impersonate another account with their checkmark will be "permanently suspended" unless they clearly specify the account is a parody account.
"Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning," Musk Tweeted. "This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue."
To help fight imposters, the new Twitter owner said, "Any name change at all will cause temporary loss of verified checkmark."
Musk has claimed that by shaking up the age-old verification process on Twitter, he will "democratize journalism & empower the voice of the people."
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