SOCIAL MEDIA:

Global social media company Meta says it will modify its recently announced plans to roll out a new verification system for Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg (main picture) said he was responding to feedback Meta had received after he announced plans at the weekend for a new “blue tick” verification system that would cost account holders a monthly fee of between $12 and $20.

The new system would be initially rolled out in Australian and New Zealand markets, Zuckerberg said on Sunday while describing paid verification as a way to achieve greater security and authenticity across the Facebook and Instagram platforms.

Account holders would need to provide proof of identity such as government-issued photo identity documents that matched their image and personal details on their Facebook or Instagram account.

But just days after announcing the paid “blue tick” concept Zuckerberg issued a statement saying Meta would now be offering more “ticks” for Facebook and Instagram account holders.

“There was a strong reaction to Sunday’s announcement with most people saying the pricing structure was wrong and that they should not pay so much to verify their account,” Zuckerberg said.

“So I have decided to spread the cost by introducing more colour-coded ticks so that we can lower average subscription costs across the board.

“In addition to the new blue tick we will be offering a grey tick for social media users who post information that either isn’t factual or is based on rumour and innuendo.

“We’ll also be offering a white tick for account holders who are white supremacists.

“There’ll also be a brown tick for people who talk nothing but shit online.

“We reckon all those categories cover 100% of social media users,” Zuckerberg said.