Twitter is removing a legacy blue tick program — which Elon Musk called 'deeply corrupted' — from April 1

• Twitter said it's sunsetting a legacy verified program from April 1.
• Users can now get blue checkmarks by signing up for the Twitter Blue subscription program.

Twitter announced Thursday it will be sunsetting its legacy blue-tick verified program — which new owner Elon Musk called "deeply corrupted" — on April 1.

"On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks," Twitter said Thursday.

It further said users can keep their blue checkmarks by signing up for its paid Twitter Blue subscription program.

Before Musk's $44 billion acquisition in October 2022, Twitter handed out blue checkmarks to authenticate active accounts of "public interest" such as those belonging to politicians, public figures, celebrities, and journalists. The platform independently verified such accounts.

But, Musk announced a revamp of the verification program mere days after his purchase of the platform and announced a new paid-for Twitter Blue program that comes with blue checkmarks.

Musk has been vocal about his opinion on the legacy blue program. In November, he criticized the policy as a "lords & peasants system." In December, he said the blue ticks were handed out in a "corrupt and nonsensical" way. Just last month, he tweeted that the legacy Twitter verification program is "deeply corrupted."

Twitter now gives blue check marks to Twitter Blue subscribers with a verified phone number. The program costs $8 a month or $84 annually.

Twitter responded to Insider's request for comment with a poop emoji – an auto-reply Musk announced on Sunday.