Twitter appears to have paused its $7.99/month Twitter Blue subscription plan, after users were abusing it to impersonate brands and famous people.
Earlier this week, Twitter launched the paid verification service which allows users to buy the blue checkmark, a system previously used to verify accounts.
However, the subscription model created a plethora of fake accounts impersonating brands and famous people, and spreading misinformation.
One fake account impersonated the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly tweeting “we are excited to announce insulin is free now,” causing their stock price to tank.
On Friday, Twitter removed the option to sign up for Twitter Blue from the iOS app, reinstating the “official” badge to some accounts.
