Twitter is pausing verification of accounts while it rethinks strategy

Twitter has been tackling abuse on its platform recently, with a series of rules aimed at curtailing harassment performed on or via its platform.

In an earlier article covering the topic, we noted that Twitter intended to take a look at how it verified public figures. Further going on to say “while the firm argues that verification is not an endorsement of any kind, verified users have access to filters, and get higher priority when readers read responses to threads.” Twitter has now been forced to face reality sooner rather than later on this topic due to harassment originating from verified White Supremacists and agent provocateurs, and will now be pausing all verification while it deals with the system.

In a statement given via the Support channel, Twitter said:

Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon

In a further statement, CEO Jack Dorsey noted:

We should’ve communicated faster on this (yesterday): our agents have been following our verification policy correctly, but we realized some time ago the system is broken and needs to be reconsidered. And we failed by not doing anything about it. Working now to fix faster.

Here’s to hoping this fix arrives faster than 280 characters did.