Twitter will begin removing verification badges
from users who violate its rules, the company said today. The announcement, which was made on the official @TwitterSupport account, appears to make concrete a policy that began in January when the company removed the badge from the account of the noxious right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. (It banned him from the service months later.)
“Verification has long been perceived as an endorsement,” the company said in a tweet. “We gave verified accounts visual prominence on the service which deepened this perception. We should have addressed this earlier but did not prioritize the work as we should have.”
Twitter said the problem worsened after is decision, in July 2016, to let anyone request a verified account. “This perception became worse when we opened up verification for public submissions and verified people who we in no way endorse,” Twitter said.
Some of the people that they “in no way endorse” include right wingers Richard Spencer, Laura Loomer and others. Here’s a few reactions:
THE UNTICKENING CONTINUES https://t.co/C4VZk6f4OW
— Joshua Idehen (@BeninCitizen) November 15, 2017
What a day. Baked Alaska got kicked out and Laura Loomer + Tommy Robinson got their verification check marks revoked. ????
— ✪James Saint-Franc✪ (@sirjamesa12) November 15, 2017
Apparently losing your Twitter verification is akin to the Holocaust? pic.twitter.com/QZjwFjdXrK
— Sam Henken (@SamHenken) November 15, 2017
Twitter now says verified users can have status revoked based on the content of their tweets, including “promoting hate” pic.twitter.com/XbhZp9dhnD
— Jon Passantino (@passantino) November 15, 2017
Aww what a shame for poor little Richard. Reality will hit him harder yet, being a vile subhuman should bother him more than losing his verification.
— Robert Bell (@djBabyRob) November 15, 2017
It’s encouraging to think that social media is cleaning up its act; and it’s always nice when the Nazis are bummed out. The Crying Nazi should be really weeping and wailing tonight when he hears this one. Maybe Donald Trump can toss him a few cases of Kleenex, ya spose?
