Elon Musk's revamp of Twitter's blue tick service has hit another hurdle after it emerged that several dead celebrities and other high-profile users appeared to have been signed up to the verification service.
One of Mr Musk's first moves when he bought Twitter last year was to announce that the platform's blue ticks — which verify a high-profile user's identity — would no longer be free.
Instead he has created a subscription service, charging users US$8 a month ($11.90) for the blue tick.
While some high-profile users declined to pay and had their ticks removed, others, including some who have been dead for years, appeared to still have their checks.
Verified Twitter profiles which appeared to belong to dead celebrities included Marvel actor Chadwick Boseman, basketballer Kobe Bryant and Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington.
There was also a blue tick on a profile appearing to belong to Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist killed by Saudi agents in Istanbul in 2018.
When someone hovers over the blue tick next to the user's name a statement pops up which says: "This account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number."
It was unclear if the dead Twitter users' agents or other third parties had paid the subscription fee.
Upset fans tweeted their disappointment and confusion.
One wrote: "Okay Twitter, what's going on now??? Anthony Bourdain, Michael Jackson, Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant, and a lot of other DEAD celebrities now have little blue checkmarks. AND ARE VERIFIED!!??? Exactly what's up with that?? Did they submit certification from the other side?"
Another tweeted: "There's now an entire subgenre of Verified dead people on Twitter, including Anthony Bourdain, Chadwick Boseman, and Kobe Bryant. Great job, @elonmusk."
Mr Musk further confused users when he revealed he had been paying the subscription fee for some users.
Some of the accounts Mr Musk has paid for include author Stephen King and actor Sir Ian McKellen.
When King tweeted he had not paid for Twitter Blue, Mr Musk replied: "You're welcome namaste."
King also tweeted: "I think Mr. Musk should give my blue check to charity. I recommend the Prytula Foundation, which provides lifesaving services in Ukraine. It's only $8, so perhaps Mr. Musk could add a bit more".
