X still has a Verified bot problem — this time they came for DailyTech writers

As I was browsing on X, formerly known as Twitter, I came across a series of DailyTech articles that I apparently reposted. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that it was not me who posted them.

Someone using my name had created a profile with the same default and header photos as mine, along with a bio claiming to be a senior reporter at DailyTech. This impersonator account was created in May 2024 and had a blue checkmark next to my name, indicating a paid subscription on X.

The blue checkmark on X used to signify verified accounts of notable individuals, but now it indicates paid subscribers who have access to premium features. This change occurred after Elon Musk’s influence on the platform, leading to confusion and potential misuse of the verification system.

Several DailyTech journalists, including myself, have been targeted by impersonation accounts on X. While some of these fake accounts have been suspended after reports, the ease of carrying out such attacks highlights the flaws in X’s verification process.

X’s verification system has been exploited in the past by bad actors impersonating celebrities and public figures, leading to misinformation and stock market repercussions. The current wave of impersonation attacks on DailyTech journalists suggests a potential bot involvement rather than malicious intent.

Despite Musk’s intentions to combat bots through a pay-to-verify system, the issue persists, raising questions about the effectiveness of X’s measures against impersonation and fake accounts.

If you have been impersonated on X, you can report it by undergoing a third-party verification process. Encouraging others to report the impersonation may help expedite the resolution with X, although the platform’s response to the bot problem remains unclear.