Twitter is set to relaunch its subscription service, Twitter Blue, on Monday with a few modifications and a higher price tag for Apple users.
Twitter Blue, which will allow subscribers to edit tweets, upload 1080p videos and get a blue checkmark, will cost $8 per month for users who purchase a subscription through the web but $11 per month through Apple iOS.
we’re relaunching @TwitterBlue on Monday – subscribe on web for $8/month or on iOS for $11/month to get access to subscriber-only features, including the blue checkmark 🧵 pic.twitter.com/DvvsLoSO50
— X (@X) December 10, 2022
Twitter CEO Elon Musk took Apple to task last month over its 30 percent commission on in-app purchases.
“Literally 10 times higher than it should be,” Musk said in May.
He also said last month that Apple had threatened to “withhold” Twitter from its App Store but would not tell the site why. Musk tweeted and then deleted a comment saying he was “going to war” with Apple and asked the company in a separate tweet if it hates free speech.
However, Musk met Tim Cook at Apple’s campus soon after. Musk said he had a “good conversation” with Cook, who made it clear that Apple would not remove the Twitter app from its App Store.
Twitter said Saturday it will replace the “official” account designation given to a number of prominent businesses with a gold checkmark. Government and multilateral accounts are set to receive gray checkmarks.
The change comes after Twitter Blue users were given a blue checkmark last month, which had previously been used as a symbol for verified accounts on the site. The change created confusion after a number of accounts impersonated prominent users, including pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
Twitter Blue users were not required to verify their identities to receive the blue checkmark during the initial rollout last month. However, Twitter’s latest announcement suggests users will now go through a review process before receiving a blue checkmark.