Elon Musk's decision to charge a fee for the coveted blue tick on Twitter has created a buzz among the platform's users. Now that anyone who pays $8 per month can have the verified badge next to their names, the number of fake accounts have spiked on the microblogging platform.
From a verified yet fake account of American basketball player Lebron James to a fake Nintendo of America account with a blue tick, some users have been misusing the new feature to impersonate others. In the latest, a Twitter account with the name Jesus Christ has been given a blue tick.
“Why the assumption I am fake?” said the “verified” Jesus Christ Twitter handle reacting to the news of it receiving the blue tick.
The post soon gained traction and elicited hilarious reactions from Twitter users.
“Please make me your only follower, Jesus . I carried you down the beach that one time,” wrote a user.
Another said, “This is a completely real Twitter account? I don't see the problem.”
“I want to know the credit company that gave you the card! I want it,” a person asked.
Many did not miss a chance to poke some fun.
“I'm still waiting for Santa to come on Twitter.....I just KNOW he's real!” a comment read.
Some said that the Twitter handle deserved the sought-after blue tick.
One user reacted, “The real Jesus wouldn't need to buy his blue check. Nice try though.”
Some came up with tricks to check if the “verified” account was genuine.
Others were impressed by the followers the account had amassed.
Twitter has rolled out its premium Twitter Blue subscription-based service for iOS users in several countries. Shortly after the service was launched, fake news started to spread on the platform. In one instance, a fake account of LeBron James demanded a trade from the Lakers.
