Twitter removes free ‘Check Mark’ service

San Francisco: Social Media site Twitter has begun removing free blue check mark icons from the profiles of thousands of politician, celebrities and journalists around the world.

The check mark was a source of Twitter account verification that the account is not fake but real. However, now the blue ticks have started disappearing from the verified accounts.

Since Elon Musk bought the Twitter for $44 billion in October, it was announced that the social media service will charge individuals $8 per month to maintain their verification status.

The announcement stated that those who do not pay will lose their check marks.

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who has more than 19 million followers on Twitter, also lost the blue tick from his Twitter account.

Moreover, the blue verification mark has also disappeared from the Twitter account of former national cricket team captain Shahid Afridi, current captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Not only this, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan who has more than 48 million followers on Twitter while Bollywood King Shahrukh Khan who has more than 43 million followers on Twitter also lost his verified Twitter account.

Apart from this, the blue tick has been removed from many verified Twitter accounts including Portuguese star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and others.