Twitter announced yesterday that it will begin removing verification badges from accounts that were having a negative influence due to inappropriate behavior. Looking at Twitter’s give tweets and an updated Twitter support page, there was much left questioned. This is mostly because Twitter is still working internally on a system that it thinks will replace the previous one. The most common question asked was why Twitter would remove a user’s badge instead of simply just suspending or banning them. The company now says that it has to do with offline behavior.
Here’s what Twitter basically said: If a user breaks rules on Twitter — by tweeting inappropriately — they will be disciplined in the usual ways, a spokesperson said. Twitter now plans to do some offline monotoring when it comes to behavior as well, not just on Twitter. If a user isn’t behaving appropriately offline, there is a big chance they will lose their verified badge on Twitter.
Twitter’s policy update states, “Reasons for removal may reflect behaviors on and off Twitter.” Prior to yesterday, Twitter was only taking into account behavior that a verified user conducted on its platform, but now the company is taking into consideration what they do offline as well. Holders of the verified badge will now be held to a higher standard if they want to be verified and/or want to keep their verified badge.
It’s good to see Twitter taking further action to making sure verified users are following appropriate rules not only online but also offline. With the whole controversy the company went through with the case of Jason Kessler, a white supremacist who organized the United the Right rally in Charlottesville in August, Twitter can’t afford to continue staying in the negative spotlight.
