Title: Introducing X's Satirical Label for Profiles, Dealing with Elon's Creation Dilemma
X is introducing a new profile label for accounts that parody individuals or entities, aiming to boost transparency and prevent deception. Currently, users can voluntarily add this "Parody Account" label, but X plans to make it mandatory in the future.
Remember how Twitter used to distinguish legitimate and satirical accounts with a blue checkmark? That method seemed straightforward and clear, allowing users to instinctively recognize satire without needing an explanation. Elon Musk, however, dismantled the program, believing it favored certain individuals without legitimate reasons.
The result? An influx of false verified accounts using the names of public figures for attention-grabbing posts. To combat this issue, Twitter introduced different badges for corporations and government officials, with some needing to pay thousands for special checkmarks.
However, the new system barely worked for regular users. Verified users began selling engagement for profit, creating an incentive for abuse. Furthermore, accounts like @CharlieKNews and @TuckerCNews, both displaying "verified" badges, still tricked users into engaging with them.
Many fake verified accounts emerged, generating revenue from engagement-based activities. Despite the monthly subscription, running multiple engagement-farming accounts could be profitable, especially for individuals from countries with lower wages.
The blue checkmarks on X have essentially lost their worth. In response, X introduces parody labels as a fresh effort to tackle the issues it created in the first place. Unfortunately, the system seems more confusing now.
We’re rolling out profile labels for parody accounts to clearly distinguish these types of accounts and their content on our platform. We designed these labels to increase transparency and to ensure that users are not deceived into thinking such accounts belong to the entity…— Safety (@Safety) January 10, 2025
As advertising revenue dwindled, X needed a new source of income – checkmark fees from users. This change might not please everyone, but it seems to be X's best solution at the moment.
[1] "X Adds New Parody Account Label to Increase Transparency," TechCrunch, April 15, 2023.
[2] "X Launches 'Parody, Commentary, and Fan Account' Label," CNET, April 18, 2023.
[3] "X Rolls Out Revamped Verification Program," The Verge, December 12, 2024.
[4] "X's New Verification Policy Explained," Wired, April 20, 2023.
Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the given words:
The future of X's platform will see a mandatory use of the "Parody Account" label to boost transparency and prevent deception, as mentioned in the recent tech news. With the advancement of technology and increasing incidents of misinformation, the use of tech-driven solutions like these parody labels has become essential in the tech industry.
