Musk's Twitter verification rollback: Checkmarks for sale scheme failed, now giving blue checks back to verify key accounts

Musk originally removed blue checkmarks from users who didn't pay, framing it as democratization. But it was a money-making scheme.

Musk didn't realize checkmarks helped Twitter by verifying identities and combatting misinformation.

Letting anyone buy checkmarks caused chaos, with fake corporate accounts tweeting misinformation.

Removing checkmarks from celebrities and important accounts turned the blue check into a "badge of shame."

Musk realized his mistake and is now giving checkmarks back to popular accounts, leading many users to clarify they didn't pay for them.