Part 5/9:
Interestingly, Twitter has previously shut down its self-application process for verification, citing concerns about misuse and superficial criteria, such as writing a few articles or having a Wikipedia page. Despite this, blue checks have often been used as a form of social capital, with verified users feeling entitled to higher visibility.
Notoriously, many verified accounts—sometimes with minimal contributions—have used their status to dominate timelines and push personal agendas. The recent outage exposed just how vulnerable their influence can be, with some questioning whether the system rewards true influence or simply a network of elite privilege.