Larry Madowo joins celebrities refusing to pay for Twitter verification badge

By Fay Ngina | 2023-04-03T00:00:00+03:00 | 2 min read

CNN journalist Larry Madowo, has joined the growing list of celebrities who have refused to pay for Twitter's new paid service, Twitter Blue, which includes a fee of $8 (Sh1,060) for the coveted verification badge. The badge, which is represented by a blue checkmark next to a user's name, indicates that the account is authentic and belongs to a public figure, celebrity, or brand.

Madowo expressed his reservations about paying for the service, citing concerns about the potential loss of his verified status on the platform. He also highlighted the risk of identity theft and other malicious activities that could arise if anyone could create an account in his name and get it verified for a fee.

"I have no plans to pay for Twitter Blue at this time, and neither does CNN," Madowo stated. "Twitter says my blue checkmark will soon disappear after 12 years of being verified. Anyone will be able to create an account in my name and get it verified for $8. What could possibly go wrong?"

Madowo's concerns are not unfounded, as Twitter's decision to charge users for the verification badge has raised questions about the potential for impersonation by malicious actors. Even if Madowo were to pay for the verification badge, anyone else could still add his name to their account and pay Twitter to verify it, potentially leading to dangerous consequences.

Madowo is not alone in his decision to refuse to pay for the verification badge. Other celebrities, including LeBron James and Chrissy Teigen, have also spoken out against the new service, with Teigen tweeting, "oh my god just take the checkmark already who cares."

Twitter's recent launch of Twitter Blue and its decision to charge users for the verification badge have been met with mixed reactions. While some users see the new service as a way to support the platform and gain access to new features, others view it as a money-grab by Twitter that unfairly targets smaller accounts.

As the debate around Twitter Blue and the verification badge continues, it remains to be seen how many users will be willing to pay for the service and whether Twitter will make any changes to address the concerns of those who choose not to. In the meantime, Larry Madowo and others like him will continue to hold on to their "legacy" blue checkmarks, at least for the time being.