Twitter Updates Policies For Removing Verification Of A User's Identity

(RTTNews) - Twitter Inc. (TWTR) updated its policies for removing the verification of a user's identity, saying it can pull the blue check mark at any time without notice for behavior including promoting hate or inciting harassment of others.

While "verification has long been perceived as an endorsement," Twitter's support account wrote Wednesday in a tweet, "this perception became worse when we opened up verification for public submissions and verified people who we in no way endorse."

Earlier this month, the social network stopped the system of authenticating a user's identity with a blue check mark after drawing intense criticism for verifying the account of Jason Kessler, who is credited with orchestrating the white-supremacist rally last August in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Twitter said it's in the process of creating a new authentication program, and isn't accepting any public submissions for verification in the meantime. The company also is reviewing current verified accounts to make sure users meet the new guidelines for behavior.