Tuesday, when best-selling author Stephen King expressed dissatisfaction with rumors that the firm might demand a $20 monthly fee for verification, new Twitter owner Elon Musk responded to him.
Although it is yet unknown how the authentication mechanism would ultimately appear to users, Musk stated over the weekend that it would be “revamped.”
King was extremely blunt in his criticism of the idea of demanding payment: “Keep my blue check for $20 each month? They should compensate me, f—- that. I’m gone like Enron if that is implemented.”
“We must find a way to pay the bills!” Musk answered. “Twitter can’t only rely on sponsors. Consider $8.”
Musk added in a subsequent tweet that he would provide a “long form” justification for the payment before it is put into effect.
He tweeted, “It is the only way to combat the bots & trolls,” to which King did not reply.
Longtime Musk acquaintance and tech investor Jason Calacanis surveyed people on the social networking platform on Monday to find out how much they would be willing to pay for a blue check.
There were three payment options: $5, $10, or $15 each month, as well as no payment at all.
The majority of respondents—more than 81%—said they would not pay.
Interesting, said Musk.
Twitter Blue costs $4.99 per month right now.
