Meta might be considering the introduction of paid verification on Instagram and Facebook.
According to reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, these codes discovered in the app’s code “IG_NME_PAID_BLUE_BADGE_IDV” and “FB_NME_PAID_BLUE_BADGE_IDV” seems to suggest that Facebook and Instagram are considering verifying users for a fee across platforms. IDV is an acronym for “identity verification.”
Paluzzi is known for discovering unreleased features which he finds hidden within Instagram’s code. He previously discovered a BeReal-like feature and an in-app scheduler feature.
Also Read: Twitter Blue Subscription Service to Launch in Kenya Soon
If this is true, Instagram would be directly copying Elon Musks’ similar subscription service on Twitter called Twitter Blue, which costs between $8 and $11 a month. Twitter Blue gives users access to the website’s verified checkmark, as well as some other experimental features.
The launch of Twitter Blue was considered a disaster as the company failed to implement safeguards to prevent random users from impersonating companies and high-profile personalities and it will be interesting to see how other social media companies adopt the feature.
Currently, it is very difficult to get a blue badge on Instagram and there is even a black market for Instagram verification, with people paying up to tens of thousands of dollars to get a blue tick.
