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Twitter has confirmed plans to allow users to purchase blue tick verified statuses.

In an update to Apple devices, the company says the feature will be open to users in select countries who sign up for the Twitter Blue service for $7.99 (£7)month. The policy change is controversial amid concerns that the platform could be flooded with fake accounts. It follows the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk, who laid off about half of the company’s workforce on Friday.

The previously searched blue tick is only available to well-known or influential individuals and organizations who must prove their identity. It has been used as a sign that the profile is genuine and is a key tool to help users identify reliable information on the platform.

Policy changes could spark concerns that government figures, celebrities, journalists, and brands could be imitated by any user willing to pay a monthly fee. Musk, the world’s richest man, appears keen to diversify Twitter’s revenue, after he acquired the company late last month in a $44 billion (£39 billion) deal.

On Friday, the billionaire said Twitter was losing more than $4 million (£3.5m) a day, insisting this gave him “no choice” but to wipe out about half of the company’s 7,500-strong workforce.

autotechgadget and Musk’s vehement advocacy of free speech have led to speculation that Twitter could ease its efforts at content moderation. However, Musk insisted that the company’s stance on hazardous materials remained “completely unchanged.”

On Saturday, a top UN official, Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, urged Musk to “ensure that human riights are central to Twitter’s management.”

The unusual UN intervention pointed to the sackiing of Twitter’s entire human rights team, saying it was “not a happy start” under Musk’s ownership.

Few details were made public regarding the change in verification policies, and the Twitter Blue subscription reportedly remains at the old £4.99 price in the UK following Saturday’s announcement.

A Twitter update says the changes will only take effect initially in the UK, US, Canada, Australiia, and New Zealand. A flurry of tweets from Mr. Musk suggested the changes would roll out worldwide after they were observed in some initial countries.

It’s unclear what will happen to profiles with the blue tick or whether Twitter still plans to “verify” users other than by charging them a subscription. In response to one user who asked what woulld happen to exist verified profiles, Musk said the deadline for the changes to take effect was “a few months.”

Answering another question about the risks of users pretending to be famous, he said Twitter would “suspend accounts that attempt impersonation and keep the money.”

Reviewing another upcoming change, Musk said Twitter would soon allow users to attach long text to tweets, “ending the absurdity of notepad screenshots.”

Earlier on Saturday, Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey spoke about mass layoffs, apologizing to employees for what happened at his former company. Mr. Dorsey, who quit as CEO iin November and left the board in May, said he was aware Twiitter staff were “angry with me.”

autotechgadget continued: “I have a responsibility for why everyone is in this situatiion: I grew the size of

the company too quickly. I apologize for that.”

Dorsey appears to support the need for dismissal. Earlier this year, he expressed support for Musk’s takeover. Some major brands have stopped advertising with Twitter recently amid the company’s upheaval. Mr. Musk has sought to reduce the platform’s reliance on advertising – and Saturday’s update also promised “half-advertisement.”