shot-button
Navratri Navratri
Home > News > World News > Article > Musk threatens to boot Twitter account impersonators

Musk threatens to boot Twitter account impersonators

Updated on: 08 November,2022 08:32 AM IST  |  Boston
Agencies |

The platform’s new owner issued the warning after some celebrities changed their Twitter display names - not their account names - and tweeted as Elon Musk’ in reaction to the billionaire’s decision to offer verified accounts to all comers for $8 month as he simultaneously laid off a big chunk of the workforce

Musk threatens to boot Twitter account impersonators

Elon Musk

Elon Musk tweeted Sunday that Twitter will permanently suspend any account on the social media platform that impersonates another.


The platform’s new owner issued the warning after some celebrities changed their Twitter display names - not their account names - and tweeted as Elon Musk’ in reaction to the billionaire’s decision to offer verified accounts to all comers for $8 month as he simultaneously laid off a big chunk of the workforce.


“Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody; will be permanently suspended,” Musk wrote. While Twitter previously issued warnings before suspensions, now that it is rolling out ‘widespread verification,’ there will be no warning “In fact, ‘any name change at all’ would compel the temporary loss of a verified checkmark,” the world’s richest man said.


Comedian Kathy Griffin had her account suspended Sunday after she switched her screen name to Musk. She told a Bloomberg reporter that she had also used his profile photo.

“I guess not ALL the content moderators were let go? Lol,” Griffin joked afterward on Mastodon, an alternative social media platform where she set up an account last week.

Actor Valerie Bertinelli had similarly appropriated Musk’s screen name - posting a series of tweets in support of Democratic candidates on Saturday before switching back to her true name. “Okey-dokey. I’ve had fun and I think I made my point,” she tweeted afterwards.

Twitter is planning to defer the rollout of the verification check marks to its subscribers of the new $7.99 a month subscription service until after Tuesday’s midterm elections in the US, amid concerns over spread of false information, a media report has said.

The midterm elections on November 8 will decide the control of the US Congress and other important governorships. A manager working on the verification badge project said “we’ve made the decision to move the launch of this release to November 9, after the midterm elections.”

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK