The blue checkmark. Some people have it, some don’t. The reason for them to exist in the first place, is so that people don’t get confused. Like when there are multiple fake accounts of Angela Merkel being created – so you always know which messages are from the real Angie. Makes sense, totally.

Not only politicians have blue checkmarks, also famous actors, athletes, artists and so on. Basically everyone whose account is likely to be cloned (or who think of themselves as a big deal and have connection to someone working at those tech companies).

What really messes with peoples head though is that this became some sort of a status indicator. Where people who are verified are kind of special in online world. And where the goal is to get your account verified. 

I personally think this goal is straight up ridiculous. But since this is such a big deal for so many people, it’s worth thinking about how to fix that. Because nobody really should ever feel sad about their own online presence compared to others. 

(oh yeah, dear Facebook – just forgot you still exist)

What about verifying every account with a blue checkmark – everyone who claims to be someone and can confirm that. Maybe by uploading parts of their ID, video chat or what not.

Or even get rid of the blue checkmark at all. And get everyone who is not verified another icon.

Just don’t make this a stupid status symbol kinda thing anymore.


This post was originally published in November 2020. It's reposted here due to the switch to Hey World.

 
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