Many netizens were disappointed when Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, stated that earning a blue tick on the microblogging site will cost roughly USD 8 per month.
Musk’s intention to charge Twitter users to have a verified account sparked fury and bewilderment among some long-time users of the microblogging site. The reaction, however, had no effect on Musk. On Wednesday morning, he resorted to Twitter to reiterate his position on the issue.
“To all complainers, please continue complaining, but it will cost USD 8,” he tweeted.
“Totally stole idea of charging for insults & arguments from Monty Python tbh,” Musk later added.
A day ago, Musk announced what amounted to a Twitter plus paid subscription service that will allow users to post long videos, audio and also combat “spam and scam.”
“Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bullshit. Power to the people! Blue for USD 8/month,” he tweeted.
The Twitter Blue subscription launched widely almost a year ago as a way to view ad-free articles from some publishers and make other tweaks to the app, such as a different color home screen icon.
Twitter later sued Musk, accusing him of using bots to get out of a pact. Last Monday, Musk indicated that he will proceed with the Twitter acquisition at the initially agreed-upon price of USD 54.20 per share.
