Stephen King, one of the world’s most famous writers, has criticized Musk’s plan to introduce a monthly premium subscription of $20 for Twitter users who receive a blue checkmark that confirms their identity.

Books by Stephen KingPhoto: Janek Jz, Dreamstime.com

Stephen King, known for novels such as The Shining, has 6.8 million followers on Twitter.

The king’s message is stern:

  • “$20 a month to keep my blue check? Hell, they should pay me. If it is established, I will go like Enron.’

Enron is an American energy company that went bankrupt in 2001 due to huge debts and “toxic” assets.

Elon Musk has a plan to increase income: the foreign press wrote a lot about the introduction of a monthly subscription of $20 for those who want to get the much-desired blue check mark of identity verification on the network. Sources said no decision has been made yet, but there is clearly a plan.

Twitter now has a subscription-based service called Twitter Blue for $4.99. US per month, and paid users have more customization options. Currently, Twitter ID verification is free, a blue checkmark next to a profile name that shows the person has been verified and is who they say they are.

Sources say that under the plan, those who have already been vetted in the past will also be re-vetted and forced to pay for this new subscription if they don’t want to lose that much-coveted tick. Under the plan, those already confirmed will join the new membership no later than 90 days after the new plans go into effect.

Photo source: Dreamstime.com