5 minute read
Downfall of Twitter
Twitter fakes and rising stakes: Outbreak of fake twitter accounts causes users to question the service. @Lainey Akins l akinslai000@hsestudents.org
8:30 PM. Dec 12, 2022. 180k Retweets 20k Likes
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On Oct. 27, billionaire Elon Musk completed a $44 billion transaction which resulted in his new ownership of a popular social media platform, Twitter. Following his new ownership, Musk quickly made multiple changes, one of which allowed users to buy veri cation marks for $8 per month. which allowed users to buy veri cation marks for $8 per month. Although this addition was postponed on Nov. 11, impacts already occurred, as false information quickly spread through fake accounts. @SophomoreDelaneyGamble believes that allowing people to simply buy veri cation marks defeats the blue check’s inherent purpose.
“When [people] see the veri cation mark, [they] assume that it's going to be the person that they say they are. So, when you're allowing anybody to get these veri cation marks, it allows people to impersonate others- speci cally famous people, people in power or people who are widely considered a reliable source.” According to Twitter’s website, prior to Nov. 9, Twitter used the blue veri cation mark as a way to mark “active, notable and authentic accounts of public interest,” which was veri ed independently by Twitter. A er this date, however, Twitter introduced a new service, ‘Twitter Blue Subscription Service,’ which did not require accounts to go through the same veri cation process to get the blue checks. is lack of true veri cation caused some Twitter users to be more cautious on
the blue check’s inherent purpose.
the platform, including @SophomoreAdelleJacobson. the platform, including @SophomoreAdelleJacobson
“[Twitter has] gone downhill a little bit. It never was the best, but it was good for news and now people may want to be more cautious about what they hear on Twitter because there have already been a few lies that have been spread. I’ll probably be more cautious of what I read [and] I’ll double check what I hear.” I’ll probably be more cautious of what I read [and] I’ll double check what I hear.”
@SophomoreSpencerHenry believes that while there may be positives of the veri cation mark being permitted to the general public, it can also cause problems. e misinformation that has been spread has caused many users to see Twitter as a less credible source, which a ects Twitter’s reputation amongst the public. Twitter as a less credible source, which a ects Twitter’s reputation amongst the public.
“[ e $8 veri cation mark means] there aren’t any biases on who can and can’t get veri ed depending on whether or not they support Twitter. e biggest problem [though is] fraud and people lying about who they are. [ e fake veri ed accounts] further disparages Twitter’s name as a source of misinformation and leads to less and less people using it as an actual source of news.”
Along with retributions from its users, Twitter is also experiencing a fallout with companies and advertisers that use Twitter’s platform to promote their products and services.
“We’re going to see a lot of companies leaving Twitter [and] having a lot of pushback. I think the main solution is probably just to go to other websites that can provide the same things [and] the same services with less of a disaster.” probably just to go to other websites that can provide the same things [and] the same services with less of a disaster.”
One of these companies is Eli Lilly and Company, a pharmaceutical business that has currently halted advertisements on Twitter a er a fake account claiming to be their company posted that insulin was now free. Eli Lilly and Company’s stock quickly dropped 4.37% because many believed that this was the true Eli Lilly due to the fake account having the paid veri cation symbol. paid veri cation symbol.
“It’s been bringing a lot of attention to the insulin crisis where prices for insulin, which is a necessary life saving drug, are continuously going up. I’m really glad that it’s bringing more awareness and more publicity to how people are being cheated out of basic healthcare [and] medicine.” are being cheated out of basic healthcare [and] medicine.”
Many other fake accounts claiming to be noteworthy people spread inaccurate information. is disorganization makes some worry for Twitter’s other possible developing problems. some worry for Twitter’s other possible developing problems.
“Elon Musk wants to make [Twitter have] more free speech because he’s really big on that. I feel [with Musk’s expansion of free speech] there’s gonna be more hate and lies because he wants to get rid of the algorithm altogether. So, there’s going to be nothing to stop you from saying hate comments there.” altogether. So, there’s going to be nothing to stop you from saying hate comments there.”
e fake accounts and false information that were spread occurred soon a er Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Some still believe in Musk’s business capability, while others say that this is a clear example of his inability to run a company. still believe in Musk’s business capability, while others say that this is a clear example of his inability to run a company.
“ is goes to show that a lot of people don’t get to the top because they’re inherently better. ey get to the top because they were born rich and they were handed a lot of things in life. Just because you made a small fortune into a large fortune with a lot of luck doesn’t mean that you’re some genius entrepreneur.” a large fortune with a lot of luck doesn’t mean that you’re some genius entrepreneur.”
Many people believe that Musk’s takeover signi es the inevitable downfall of Twitter. Even with the massive pushback from its users, Musk still believes his vision is what is best for the company. from its users, Musk still believes his vision is what is best for the company.
