Sen. Markey Demands Answers From Twitter After Reporter Creates Fake Markey Account

In full transparency, the following is a media release from Sen. Ed Markey, who was elected by voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to serve the state in Washington DC in the US Senate. He is a Democrat. (stock photo) SOURCE publishes press release from elected leaders as a community service.

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WASHINGTON DC – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, yesterday, November 11, sent a letter to Twitter Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk demanding the company explain the procedures in place for its “blue checkmark” verification process.

The query comes after a Washington Post reporter successfully obtained the Twitter handle “@realedmarkey,” and purchased the account a “blue check” verification that noted the account was verified because it belonged to a “notable person in government.”

In his letter to the company, Senator Markey urged accountability and highlighted that the company’s lax verification practices undermine the ability for users to be critical consumers of news and information on the platform, including from public officials, and risk the spread of disinformation.  

“Apparently, due to Twitter’s lax verification practices and apparent need for cash, anyone could pay $8.00 and impersonate someone on your platform. Selling the truth is dangerous and unacceptable. Twitter must explain how this happened and how it will prevent it from happening again,” wrote Senator Markey in his letter to Musk.

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“Safeguards such as Twitter’s blue checkmark once allowed users to be smart, critical consumers of news and information in Twitter’s global town square,” the Senator continued. “But your Twitter takeover, rapid and haphazard imposition of platform changes, removal of safeguards against disinformation, and firing of large numbers of Twitter employees have accelerated Twitter’s descent into the Wild West of social media. That is unacceptable. Twitter and its leadership have a responsibility to the public to ensure the platform doesn’t become a breeding ground for manipulation and deceit.

Notwithstanding Twitter’s termination of Twitter Blue and paid-for blue checkmark verification shortly following the publication of the Washington Post article and the proliferation of imposter accounts, Senator Markey requested Twitter leadership provide answers to the following questions:

1. What was Twitter’s process for issuing paid-for blue checkmark verification of a Twitter account?
2. What was Twitter’s process for issuing verification of an account that is “notable in government, news, entertainment, or another designated category” on your platform? Please describe the internal steps at Twitter that were supposed to be followed for these processes.
3. How did the paid-for blue check verification process differ from the free verification process that preceded it?
4. How dis Twitter’s system allow a Washington Post reporter to obtain verification of a fake account?
5. Is Twitter planning to reintroduce a verification system?

Read Letter here.

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