Twitter Confirms Verified Twitter Accounts to Fight Celebrity Imposters and Impersonators   - 1,141 Views,

Adds Stone, “Please note that this doesn’t mean accounts without a verification seal are fake - the vast majority of Twitter accounts are not impersonators.” He also advises that “Another way to determine authenticity is to check the official website of the person for a link back to their Twitter account.”

For the time being, the verefication process and verified accounts generally will only be available to high profile celebrities and other public figures. Stone explains that only “public officials, public agencies, famous artists, athletes, and other well-known individuals at risk of impersonation,” will be part of the beta trial to start, primarily because of the cost of running the new verification service (Twitter still has no official revenue).

However, suggests Stone, “When we do start testing Account Verification, we will be sure to provide ample methods for feedback. Initially, verification will not be tested with businesses. However, we do see an opportunity in that arena so we’ll keep you posted when we have something to share.”

Incidences of people impersonating public figures on Twitter abound, although Twitter maintains that the majority of celebrity Twitter accounts are the real deal (impersonating someone on Twitter is a violation of their Terms of Service, enforcement of which Twitter is quite diligent).

Still, impersonators get through, and in fact Twitter is currently the defendant in a lawsuit by the St. Louis Cardinals’ Tony La Russa, about which Biz Stone writes that “With due respect to the man and his notable work, Mr. La Russa’s lawsuit was an unnecessary waste of judicial resources bordering on frivolous,” adding that “Twitter’s Terms of Service are fair and we believe will be upheld in a court that will ultimately dismiss Mr. La Russa’s lawsuit.”

Other notable impersonators on Twitter have included the Dalai Lama and a Twittering-from-prison Phil Spector.