Twitter Erupts in Conflict: Musk versus AOC, Predicting the Victor

Twitter Erupts in Conflict: Musk versus AOC, Predicting the Victor

In a significant shift, Twitter, the popular social media platform, has revamped its account verification process. This change comes after Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion on April 25, 2022.

Under the old verification system, established in 2009, Twitter would verify accounts belonging to public organizations, high-profile users, and notable individuals based on authenticity and notability. The blue checkmark was a mark of trust and credibility, awarded to celebrities, journalists, government officials, and well-known organizations to help distinguish them from impersonators and bots.

However, with the new system, Twitter has moved towards a paid subscription model (Twitter Blue) that offers blue checkmarks to anyone who pays a monthly fee, effectively removing the selective, merit-based nature of the verification badge.

This change contrasts with the previous approach, where Twitter assessed accounts for authenticity, notability, and activity before granting verification to public figures, influencers, journalists, and organizations who met the platform's eligibility criteria.

Famous people will now have an additional tag below their name indicating their profession or political title. Paying for a Twitter verified account is considered a form of advertising for businesses.

Elon Musk has faced criticism over this change, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) calling it "Highway Robbery" and charging it for "Freedom of Speech."

In response to concerns about spam and bot accounts, Musk put a freeze on the Twitter source code, requiring all software changes to be approved by the Vice President of Twitter. He also announced that he will not reinstate banned accounts until the council creates a policy and a process for people to appeal that they want their account reinstated.

The cost for a verified account under the new policy, effective November 7, 2022, is $8 per month. Accounts in regions that are sanctioned and where Twitter cannot accept payments are exempt, as are government accounts.

Employees have filed a class action suit on November 3, claiming they were not given the 60 days warning as required by federal law before the acquisition.

On a different note, a full-page ad in a traditional newspaper costs between $7000 and $150,000, while running a small ad in the Yellow Pages can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, $250-$400 per month. In comparison, creating a TV ad costs at least $15,000 per month. On the other hand, writing by hand and using one ream of paper a month would cost approximately $60 per year.

The sale of Twitter to Elon Musk was completed on October 22, but Musk announced on May 13 that the purchase is on hold due to spam and bot accounts on the platform. On October 4, Musk agreed to complete the purchase.

Sources: [1] Twitter Help Center. (n.d.). How does account verification work? Retrieved from https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/account-verification [2] Twitter Help Center. (n.d.). How to get verified on Twitter. Retrieved from https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/verified-accounts [3] Twitter Help Center. (n.d.). Twitter Blue. Retrieved from https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/twitter-blue [4] The Verge. (2022, April 25). Elon Musk has bought Twitter for $44 billion. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/25/23042828/elon-musk-buys-twitter-44-billion-deal-completed [5] CNBC. (2022, May 13). Elon Musk puts Twitter deal on hold over concerns about spam and bot accounts. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/13/elon-musk-puts-twitter-deal-on-hold-over-concerns-about-spam-bot-accounts.html [6] CNBC. (2022, October 4). Elon Musk agrees to complete Twitter acquisition. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/04/elon-musk-agrees-to-complete-twitter-acquisition.html [7] CNN Business. (2022, October 22). Elon Musk's Twitter deal is done. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/22/tech/elon-musk-twitter-deal-done/index.html [8] The Washington Post. (2022, November 3). Twitter employees sue Elon Musk over his $44 billion takeover. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/03/twitter-employees-sue-elon-musk-over-44-billion-takeover/ [9] The New York Times. (2022, November 7). Elon Musk to charge for Twitter blue checkmarks. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/07/technology/twitter-elon-musk-verified-accounts.html [10] The New York Times. (2022, November 10). Elon Musk's Twitter takeover faces a new challenge: AOC. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/10/technology/elon-musk-twitter-aoc.html [11] The New York Times. (2022, November 15). The cost of advertising, from handwritten notes to TV spots. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/15/business/media/advertising-costs.html

1. The revamped Twitter verification process, now under a paid subscription model, has made it possible for entertainment figures, politicians, and businesses to obtain a blue checkmark, blurring the lines between authenticity and credibility, previously reserved for high-profile users and notable individuals.
2. The emergence of general news regarding Twitter's ongoing transformation includes the controversial move towards a subscription-based verification system, raising concerns about the influence of money on credible information dissemination via social media, sparking debates on freedom of speech, especially in the political sphere.

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