TWITTER is once again attempting to launch its premium service, a month after a previous attempt failed.
The social media company said on Saturday it would let users buy subscriptions to Twitter Blue to get a blue checkmark and access special features starting on Monday.
The blue checkmark was originally given to companies, celebrities, government entities and journalists verified by the platform.
But after Elon Musk bought Twitter for 44 billion dollars (£36 billion) in October, he launched a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay eight dollars (£7) a month.
READ MORE: 'Blue tick' Nicola Sturgeon account sends abuse to Douglas Ross
But it was inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter suspended the service days after its launch.
The relaunched service will cost eight dollars a month for web users and 11 dollars (£9) a month for iPhone users.
Twitter says subscribers will see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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