Twitter verification

Introduced in June 2009, the Twitter verification system provides the site's readers with a means to distinguish genuine notable account holders, such as celebrities and organizations, from impostors or parodies. A blue check mark displayed against an account name indicates that Twitter has taken steps to ensure that the account is actually owned by the person or organization whom it is claimed to represent. The check mark does not imply endorsement from Twitter, and does not mean that tweets from a verified account are necessarily accurate or truthful in any way. People with verified accounts on Twitter are often colloquially referred to as "blue checks" on social media and by reporters.
History.
Originally, Twitter took on the responsibility of reaching out to celebrities and other notable to confirm their identities in order to establish a verified account. Twitter also encouraged users to reach out for verification. For example, the Twitter Verified account posted a tweet on October 6, 2016 reading, "If you think your account should be verified – let us know! Check out our article to learn what it takes to apply..."
In 2017 the company began accepting requests for verification, but it was discontinued the same year. Twitter explained that the volume of requests for verified accounts had exceeded its ability to cope; rather, Twitter determines on its own whom to approach about verified accounts, limiting verification to accounts which are "authentic, notable, and active".
Controversy.
Twitter's practice and process for verifying accounts came under scrutiny in 2017 after the company verified the account of white supremacist and far-right political activist, Jason Kessler. Many who criticized Twitter's decision to verify Kessler's account saw this as a political act on the company's behalf. In response, Twitter put its verification process on hold. The company tweeted, "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."
On November 24, 2020, the company announced that it will start reviewing applications for verification in 2021 under newly released guidelines.
Significance and social impact.
A verified account is a highly sought-after qualification among Twitter users. Since Twitter alone can grant blue check marks, they can use them as a passive inducement for users to create more content. Alison Hearn also argues that they introduce a new social class of Twitter users. This can cause tension between verified and non-verified users of the site; when Twitter temporarily locked out verified accounts in the aftermath of the 2020 Twitter bitcoin scam, many non-verified users celebrated. Though Twitter verification is only meant to verify identity, the bitcoin scam was an example of the social influence held by verified accounts. Because tweets directing users to send bitcoin were sent from verified accounts, the scam was likely more successful than if accounts were chosen at random.
Losing verified status.
Twitter retains the right to remove a verified status from any account at any time. If any account violates the Twitter Terms of Service, which includes abusive behavior, impersonation, and a number of other violations it is subject to losing verified status. Accounts which undergo administrative changes such as changes in account bio details or changes to the user handle (or @username) are also at risk of having the blue check removed.
In some situations, Twitter has removed the blue check mark from an account due to hate speech, as was the case with Louis Farrakhan's account in 2018.