Meta could soon let users pay to be verified on Instagram and Facebook, according to the tech giant.
The full package: The paid verification option will be bundled with other user perks into a subscription service called 'Meta Verified', CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Sunday, 19 February.
Increased visibility of posts, extra protection from impersonators, and easier access to customer service are also part of the deal
For now, Meta Verified is being rolled out in Australia and New Zealand
Subscriptions are not yet open for business accounts
The price tag: Meta Verified will start at $11.99 (£9.96) a month for those who access Facebook and Instagram through the web
The subscription service will cost $14.99 on iOS devices
Bye bye blue tick? Not quite. The change will not affect previously verified accounts, the tech company reportedly told the BBC.
Yes, but: There would be an increase in visibility for some smaller users who become verified thanks to the paid feature, the report added.
Of note: In order to get verified, Instagram and Facebook usernames will have to match with the name in a government-issued ID.
The profile picture of Meta Verified subscribers needs to include their face, the company reportedly said
Why it matters: The coveted blue ticks that usually appear on high profile Instagram and Facebook accounts have served as a means of verifying the authenticity of users. While Meta appears to have thought about the risk of impersonation, it remains to be seen how this latest move will affect the platforms' content creators and influencers.
Taking Twitter's lead: The Elon Musk-led platform beat Meta to offer paid verification as part of its paid subscription services called Twitter Blue.
Twitter Blue was launched in India earlier this month
The monthly charges for Twitter Blue are: ₹900 (for Android and iOS devices) and ₹650 (for purchase on Twitter's website)
Smooth sailing? Not exactly. In fact, Twitter Blue's initial launch resulted in impersonations and chaos across the platform, eventually leading to several users jumping ship to alternative platforms like Mastodon.
Indian users have also reported running into problems while trying to subscribe to Twitter Blue
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