Elon Musk’s Twitter Updates Verified User Descriptions so You Can’t Tell Who Paid for a Blue Check-Mark Anymore

Twitter had said it was going to start removing the blue check-marks of legacy verified users starting April 1, so that only people who paid Elon Musk‘s company $8 or $11 per month would have the badge going forward.

On Sunday, Twitter did something different: It updated the language in the description of verified users so that now you can’t tell who is paying Musk for the blue check-mark — and who isn’t. The text for both Twitter Blue subscribers and legacy verified accounts now reads, “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account.”

Previously, the verification badge for those who paid for Twitter Blue had a description that said, “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue.” In addition, accounts verified under Twitter’s previous regime — as being considered notable and authentic — had formerly said, “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.” Twitter had made that change in December, and Musk boasted that he had come up with the wording himself.

Following the change, some legacy verified Twitter users wanted to make it clear that they aren’t in fact paying for Twitter Blue.

“I just want you all to know that I have never paid Apartheid Elmo $11 for a check, and never will,” tweeted Kashana Cauley, an author and TV writer (“The Daily Show With Trevor Noah”).