Twitter, has disclosed a move to commence verification of accounts, in the public interest, with a new process from Thursday.

More than three years after it had halted account verification; amid, a backlash for handing them out to white supremacist, Twitter has revamped and relaunched its verification process.

This time, it said the process would be more clear about who gets verified and who cannot.

Twitter would verify accounts of ‘high profile with a blue shield and check,’ at the same time, Twitter would also, on a case by case basis, suspend accounts that violates the rules.

It said: “Today’s application rolls out, marks the next milestone in our plans to give more transparency, credibility, and clarity to verification on Twitter”.

Meanwhile, the new process creates a more public system for people to get verified on Twitter, which is an important form of social currency for pop culture, stars, journalists and world class leaders alike.

Presently, more than 360, 000 people are verified on Twitter, while the company would not say how many people it expects to apply, it would likely receive a deluge of applications.

According to Twitter, people eligible to get verified are government, companies, brands and organizations, new organizations and journalists, entertainment, sports and gaming, activists, organizers, and other influential individuals.

“You’ll also need to have a profile name, image, and give Twitter either a confirmed email address, or phone number to prove you are who you say you are. You also have to be found to be in compliance with Twitter’s rules, which include restrictions on hate speech and threatening content,” it announced.

A team of human reviewers was said to be expected; that would determine who meets eligibility criteria for verification.

Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News | May 22, 2021