Experts warn as paid verification reshapes credibility online

Verification on social media is a paid feature that users can buy, weakening one of the few signals audiences once relied on to identify trustworthy voices.

- Waad Barakat

This message was aired at the Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where industry leaders warned that credibility is now being treated as a product rather than something earned.

Maha Abouelenein, founder and CEO of Digital and Savvy, said a blue checkmark is no longer proof that someone should be believed.