Twitter re-launched its controversial subscription Twitter Blue, including paid-for check marks, on the same day CEO Elon Musk disbanded the platform's Trust and Safety Council.
It marks another day of the tumult that has dogged the company since Mr Musk bought it in October this year.
Here's what happened and what it means for Twitter users.
What is happening with Twitter Blue?
Twitter Blue is the platform's subscription service.
Previously, the blue check mark next to a user's name was only reserved for verified accounts of politicians, famous personalities, journalists and other public figures.
Now, for $US8 ($11.82) a month, anyone can have the blue tick on their profile.
Twitter Blue initially launched in November before being paused after fake "verified" accounts flooded the platform. It was then scheduled to launch again on November 29, but that was pushed back.
Under the latest model, grey and gold check marks have also been introduced — grey for governments and gold for companies.
What does Twitter Blue mean for users?
The social platform claims users will benefit from more than just the blue check mark next to the username.
Subscribers get 50 per cent fewer ads, can post longer videos, and their replies, mentions and searches will be prioritised, "helping to fight scams and spam".
They will also be able to edit tweets and use non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as their profile picture.
There is a small twist for Apple iOS users, however, as they are expected to pay $US11.
Twitter has not explained why Apple users are being charged more than others, but there have been media reports the company was looking for ways to offset fees charged in the App Store.
Mr Musk had in a series of tweets last month listed various grievances with Apple, including the 30 per cent fee the iPhone maker charges software developers for in-app purchases.
Why is Twitter introducing a subscription model?
Mr Musk has previously claimed the company needed to supplement its ad revenue, after advertisers — Twitter's main revenue source — fled the platform over concerns about brand safety.
The Wall Street Journal at the start of November reported that, among others, Pfizer, Audi, Volkswagen and Mondelez International — the maker of Oreos — had temporarily paused their Twitter advertising.
Some advertisers expressed concerns about Mr Musk's scaling back of content moderation.
Most notably, Mr Musk said Apple threatened to block Twitter from its app store and had stopped advertising on the platform, after he tweeted a series of grievances with the company.
However, after a subsequent meeting with Apple chief executive Tim Cook, he tweeted that the misunderstanding about Twitter being removed from Apple's app store was resolved.
What was Twitter's Safety and Trust Council?
Not long after the relaunch of Twitter Blue, it came to light that the social platform's Safety and Trust Council had been disbanded.
The council — made up of about 100 independent, civil, human rights and other organisations — worked as an advisory group designed to help to address hate speech, child exploitation, suicide, self-harm and other problems on the platform.
The social media company informed the council that it had been disbanded shortly before the start time of its next scheduled meeting.
The volunteer group provided expertise and guidance on how the social platform could better combat hate, harassment and other harms, but did not have any decision-making authority and did not review specific content disputes.
The disbandment happened not long after three council members announced they were resigning, stating: "Contrary to claims by Elon Musk, the safety and wellbeing of Twitter's users are on the decline."
What does the end of the Trust and Safety Council mean for Twitter moderation?
Mr Musk had earlier said that he would form a new "content moderation council" to help make major decisions but later changed his mind.
Former Twitter employee Patricia Cartes, whose job it was to form the council in 2016, said its dissolution "means there's no more checks and balances".
Ms Cartes said the company sought to bring a global outlook to the council, with experts from around the world who could relay concerns about how new Twitter policies or products might affect their communities.
She contrasted that with Mr Musk’s current practice of surveying his Twitter followers before making a policy change affecting how content gets moderated.
"He doesn’t really care as much about what experts think," Ms Cartes said.
Mr Musk soon fired back, amplifying criticism of the council and Twitter's past leadership for allegedly not doing enough to stop child sexual exploitation on the platform.
"It is a crime that they refused to take action on child exploitation for years!" Mr Musk tweeted.
A growing number of attacks led some remaining members to send an email to Twitter early on Monday demanding the company stop misrepresenting the council's role.
Those false accusations by Twitter leaders were "endangering current and former Council members," the email said.
The Trust and Safety Council, in fact, had as one of its advisory groups one that focused on child exploitation.
