Microblogging phenomenon Twitter will be rolling out a new feature called "Verified accounts" which aims at reducing risk associated with the rising number of impersonators and fake accounts worldwide.
In what seems to be the first step towards starting a premium account, Twitter's Co-founder, Biz Stone, wrote that the move came in the wake of a lawsuit brought forward by St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa against the company.
Many may consider La Russa's move to be a blessing in disguise since it allows Twitter to tackle an issue that could possibly ruin the microblogging website's reputation and potential future lawsuits.
Just like domain names, thousands of Twitter accounts have been snapped up early by persons, a move made easier by the fact that Twitter is essentially free.
Verified Accounts Beta, Twitter said, will provide with "an opportunity to improve Twitter user experience and clear up confusion beyond simply removing impersonation accounts once alerted" and will start with individuals, entities and organisations most likely to be at the risk of impersonification.
The process will see genuine accounts be granted with a special seal to be displayed on the upper right hand side of the screen. Twitter though is quick to say that accounts without a verification seal are not necessarily fakes.
and join almost 1500 other followers.
Our Comments
This might signal Twitter's move into a paid-for line of service. Twitter might even have a valeting service where a virtual P.A. attends to the needs of celebs by posting photos, links to their articles and what not. B.Ackles from @socialcoop says that he would be willing to pay $20 per year for a "verified accounts", which we we think is fair to protect a brand.
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