Fake Twitter accounts of athletes and other celebrities, some now suspended, are spreading fake announcements and chaos as paid Blue checkmarks become available (Taylor Hatmaker/TechCrunch)

Washington Post:
Internal note: Twitter has temporarily disabled sign-ups for Twitter Blue to “help address impersonation issues” affecting brands, politicians, and celebrities  —  Twitter accounts impersonating celebrities and politicians spread on the site after the company rolled out paid check marks.

Taylor Hatmaker / TechCrunch:
In a Senate committee hearing, Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter execs defended their platforms and dodged questions about security, privacy, and moderation  —  Executives from four of the biggest social media companies testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee Wednesday …

Taylor Hatmaker / TechCrunch:
Musk’s history of amplifying misinformation shows that his Twitter won’t be interested in protecting the LGBTQ community and others often targeted for abuse  —  He’s only owned Twitter for a couple of days, but Elon Musk has already undermined his credibility on some of social media’s most vexing problems …

Kyle Wiggers / TechCrunch:
After rolling out Twitter’s “Official” label to select high-profile accounts, Elon Musk says he “killed it” in a reply to YouTuber MKBHD  —  Update: Well, that was fast.  The grey checks have begun to disappear following a tweet from Twitter CEO Elon Musk implying …

Media Matters for America:
On December 16, Twitter reinstated at least 12 far-right accounts including election misinformation celeb Mike Lindell and popular QAnon fans like Patrick Byrne  —  Among the reinstated accounts are far-right media and other figures, election and vaccine misinformers, and a white nationalist

Elon Musk / @elonmusk:
Musk says the current blue check system is “bullshit”; Twitter Blue to cost $8/month with half as many ads, priority in replies, mentions, and search, and more  —  Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bullshit. Power to the people! Blue for $8/month.