Shortly after Snap launched Snapchat+ and Twitter offered Twitter Blue, Meta is now set to launch “Meta Verified,” a verification service for Instagram and Facebook. The subscription-based service allows users to gain verified badges to combat fake accounts.
Announced by Mark Zuckerberg via an Instagram Story, the Meta CEO shared, “Good morning! New product announcement: this week we’re starting to roll out ‘Meta Verified,’ a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support.
Priced at $11.99 USD per month for web users and $14.99 USD per month on iOS, the Meta Verified subscription service finally makes the blue tick badge available to users 18 years or older and ensures an avenue to deal with imposters. Meta also notes that no charges will be applied to accounts that already hold verified badges.
“We are evolving the meaning of the blue badge to focus on authenticity so we can expand verification access to more people. We will display follower count in more places so people can distinguish which accounts are notable public figures among accounts that share the same name,” said a Meta spokesperson.
The Meta Verified subscription service will debut in Australia and New Zealand this week, with a wider launch in other countries to follow.
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