If you've been on X, the Elon Musk-owned platform formerly known as Twitter, over the past day or so, you've likely seen at least one influential account you follow share their shock (and dismay) over receiving a blue checkmark on their profile.

As previously reported, Musk changed the verification rules on X – once again. Now, any user who has at least 2,500 followers who pay for the $8 per month X Premium subscription service will get a free X Premium subscription of their own. And one of the "perks" of the subscription service is the blue checkmark badge.