8th June 2023, Mumbai: Indian users now have the opportunity to subscribe to Meta Verified, Meta’s subscription service, which grants them a verified blue tick and various other benefits, including enhanced account protection, for a monthly fee. Unlike Twitter’s criteria of “notability,” Meta Verified authenticates accounts using government ID proof. The service is currently available for iOS and Android users in India at a cost of Rs 699 per month, and there are plans to soon offer it to web users for Rs 599.
The highly sought-after “blue tick” verification badge is the primary motivation for users to subscribe. Meta assures that subscribers will enjoy “increased protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who may target individuals with growing online audiences.”
In contrast to Twitter, which removed all “legacy” checkmarks and required users to pay for Twitter Blue at Rs 900 per month to obtain a checkmark, currently verified individuals in India, who obtained their verification based on their “notability,” will retain their checkmarks for free. Additionally, Meta’s fee for the verification badge is Rs 300 lower than Twitter’s, making it a more enticing option for many Indian users.
Although Meta Verified is currently only available for English users, the company has announced plans to provide support for Hindi users in the coming months. The company aims to create a subscription service that benefits creators, businesses, and the community as a whole, thus updating the definition of verified accounts on their platforms.
To be eligible for Meta Verified, users must be at least 18 years old and possess a government-issued ID card, such as an Aadhar Card or driver’s license. During the application process for a Facebook or Instagram account, users are required to submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the account they are applying for. Currently, only individuals can be verified, and businesses are not eligible for verification.
Meta’s introduction of the Meta Verified subscription service provides Indian users with the opportunity to obtain the coveted blue tick and enjoy increased account protection. The service’s reliance on government ID proof for verification aims to enhance authenticity and combat impersonation on the platform. As Meta continues to expand its offerings, Hindi support is expected to be available soon, catering to a broader user base.
Article by PRITESH PATEL