Following backlash over its decision to verify the account of Jason Kessler, who organised the Unite the Right protest that sparked violence in Charlottesville town of the United States in August, Twitter has paused the verification process briefly.
In a statement, Twitter said the verification was meant to authenticate identity and voice, but it is now interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. “We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it,” the company said. “We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon.”
Twitter’s Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey said the system was broken and needs to be reconsidered. “And we failed by not doing anything about it. Working now to fix faster,” he added.
Users seeking a blue tick to authenticate their account are required to submit their details through an online form.
On Tuesday, Kessler announced that he had been verified on Twitter. “I must be the only working class white advocate with that distinction,” Kessler, who has more than 13,000 followers, said on Twitter.
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