Twitter Suspends Verification Process

Joining a chorus of critics, Jack Dorsey says he’s not happy with Twitter’s current verification policy. “We realized some time ago the system is broken and needs to be reconsidered,” Twitter’s second-time CEO tweeted on Thursday.

As such, Dorsey said he’s temporarily suspending the platform’s verification process, while his team tries to address a range of persisting problems.

Chief among these problems is the platform’s failure to block neo-Nazi leaders like Jason Kessler.

Earlier this week, Twitter bestowed its blue verification checkmark on Kessler, who, among other disreputable credits, organized the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA, in August.

Twitter’s official recognition of Kessler as a “verified” member of its community was met with widespread reproach, this week.  

In response, the company’s Support account tried to explain that verifications were never meant to serve as an “endorsement or an indicator of importance.”

“We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it,” Twitter explained on Thursday. “We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon.”

While Twitter has continued to rebound& nbsp;from a business standpoint, the company continues to struggle with its position as a gatekeeper of diverse ideas and ideologies.

Earlier this month, for instance, the company was obliged to publish  a clearer version of its content policing policies. The latest set of Rules were short on concrete changes, but long on additional rationale for controversial policies and enforcement methods. 

That included updating Twitter’s media policy Help Center page to include expectation-setting examples of the types of content covered by the policy.

Next story loading loading..