Current:Home > reviewsEchoSense:Elon Musk targets impersonators on Twitter after celebrities troll him -Capitatum
EchoSense:Elon Musk targets impersonators on Twitter after celebrities troll him
Ethermac Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 09:54:43
BOSTON — Elon Musk tweeted Sunday that Twitter will permanently suspend any account on EchoSensethe social media platform that impersonates another.
The platform's new owner issued the warning after some celebrities changed their Twitter display names — not their account names — and tweeted as 'Elon Musk' in reaction to the billionaire's decision to offer verified accounts to all comers for $8 month as he simultaneously laid off a big chunk of the workforce.
"Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying "parody" will be permanently suspended," Musk wrote. While Twitter previously issued warnings before suspensions, now that it is rolling out "widespread verification, there will be no warning."
In fact, "any name change at all" would compel the temporary loss of a verified checkmark, the world's richest man said.
Comedian Kathy Griffin had her account suspended Sunday after she switched her screen name to Musk. She told a Bloomberg reporter that she had also used his profile photo.
"I guess not ALL the content moderators were let go? Lol," Griffin joked afterward on Mastodon, an alternative social media platform where she set up an account last week.
Actor Valerie Bertinelli had similarly appropriated Musk's screen name — posting a series of tweets in support of Democratic candidates on Saturday before switching back to her true name. "Okey-dokey. I've had fun and I think I made my point," she tweeted afterwards.
Before the stunt, Bertinelli noted the original purpose of the blue verification checkmark. It was granted free of charge to people whose identity Twitter employees had confirmed; with journalists accounting for a big portion of recipients. "It simply meant your identity was verified. Scammers would have a harder time impersonating you," Bertinelli noted.
"That no longer applies. Good luck out there!" she added.
The $8 verified accounts are Musk's way of democratizing the service, he claims. On Saturday, a Twitter update for iOS devices listed on Apple's app store said users who "sign up now" for the new "Twitter Blue with verification" can get the blue check next to their names "just like the celebrities, companies and politicians you already follow."
It said the service would first be available in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. However, it was not available Sunday and there was no indication when it would go live. A Twitter employ, Esther Crawford, told The Associated Press it is coming "soon but it hasn't launched yet."
Twitter did not respond on Sunday to an email seeking comment on the verified accounts issue and Griffin's suspension.
Musk later tweeted, "Twitter needs to become by far the most accurate source of information about the world. That's our mission."
If the company were to strip current verified users of blue checks — something that hasn't happened — that could exacerbate disinformation on the platform during Tuesday's midterm elections.
Like Griffin, some Twitter users have already begun migrating from the platform — Counter Social is another popular alternative — following layoffs that began Friday that reportedly affected about half of Twitter's 7,500-employee workforce. They fear a breakdown of moderation and verification could create a disinformation free-for-all on what has been the internet's main conduit for reliable communications from public agencies and other institutions.
Many companies have paused advertising on the platform out of concern it could become more unruly under Musk.
Yoel Roth, Twitter's head of safety and integrity, sought to assuage such concerns in a tweet Friday. He said the company's front-line content moderation staff was the group least affected by the job cuts.
Musk tweeted late Friday that there was no choice but to cut jobs "when the company is losing over $4M/day." He did not provide details on the daily losses at Twitter and said employees who lost their jobs were offered three months' pay as severance.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Texas standout point guard Rori Harmon out for season with knee injury
- White House says meeting with Mexican president was productive, amid record migrant crossings
- Embezzlement of Oregon weekly newspaper’s funds forces it to lay off entire staff and halt print
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard Shares Photo With Sister as She Reunites With Family After Prison Release
- North Dakota governor declares emergency for ice storm that left thousands without power
- The Rest of the Story, 2023
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Powerful Pacific swell brings threat of more dangerous surf to California
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Afghan refugee in Oregon training flight crash that killed 3 ignored instructor’s advice, NTSB says
- 'All Thing Considered' staff shares their most memorable stories from 2023
- BlendJet recalls nearly 5 million blenders after reports of property damage, injuries
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Gypsy Rose marks prison release by sharing 'first selfie of freedom' on social media
- Pete Davidson and Madelyn Cline Prove They're Going Strong With New York Outing
- Bacon bits: Wendy's confirms one cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger offer has limit
Recommendation
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
11 books to look forward to in 2024
Air in Times Square filled with colored paper as organizers test New Year’s Eve confetti
'Unimaginable': Long Island police searching for person who stabbed dog 17 times
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
11 books to look forward to in 2024
Our worst NFL preseason predictions from 2023, explained: What did we get wrong?
Get This Sephora Gift Set Valued at $306 for Just $27, Plus More Deals on Clinique, Bobbi Brown & More