X (formerly Twitter) no longer allows users to hide their blue ticks, regardless of subscription status. The move sparked heated debate within the app’s community, especially among those who valued their anonymity or wanted to support honesty.
Removing the X checkmark hide feature
This Thursday, users of the app were surprised by a notification announcing the imminent removal of the hide tick feature in X Premium. This sudden change comes right after another controversial update, where X started giving blue ticks to accounts deemed “influential” with at least 2,500 followers, provided they were premium subscribers.
BREAKING: #X It seems to remove the ability to hide the checkmark! pic.twitter.com/1Kn2OU4puj
— Nima Owji (@nima_owji) April 11, 2024
Although individuals have presented this change as a valuable benefit, not everyone is happy. Users, including verified ones, are upset about the sudden introduction of a blue badge on their profiles. Many are afraid that they will subscribe just for the badge and not for the premium features.
Care about transparency and honesty
A recent change in the X community has raised concerns about openness and equality. Previously, users could hide checkmarks for privacy reasons, but now they are visible regardless of settings or subscription status. Additionally, the move raises debates about the commercialization of social media and unfair advantages due to premium services.
X still hasn’t given a clear explanation as to why it got rid of the tick hide feature, despite the initial criticism. It is uncertain whether this move will drive away users or force the app to reconsider its policies. One thing is clear, the debate about the importance of verification badges in shaping internet identity and status is far from over.
Overall, X’s move to eliminate the option to hide ticks has sparked heated debate among users. This action raised concerns about privacy, fairness and transparency in the app’s community. The actual impact of this decision on user engagement and the overall user experience on Xu remains to be seen.