By Jibril Almustapha
Meta Company, the owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp issued a policy statement through the company’s official website on Sunday indicating that some Facebook and Instagram users are now required to pay for a blue badge verification, which the company has called ‘Meta Verified’.
The statement which was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Meta Company, Mr Mark Zuckerberg, said the new policy would enable the two Cyberspace-based platforms to improve users’ data protection policies, particularly against impersonation and ensure prioritized customer support services.
Media Smarts Nigeria learnt that the blue tick verification charges to be paid by users include: $11.99 (equivalent to 5,515 Naira) per month on the web/windows computer system users; while Apple’s iOS (iPhone) system and Android users are to pay the amount of $14.99 (equivalent to 6,895 Naira) a month.
Meanwhile, ‘Meta Verified’ is an exclusive blue tick which appears on the right side of users’ profile picture on the two platforms. Significantly, the badge represents authenticity of the respective public figures, companies and organisations.
