Elon Musk Tells Dem Ed Markey His ‘Real Account’ Seems Like Parody, asks why his ‘PP has Mask On’

U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Ed Markey demanded Elon Musk fix an issue with verified accounts after a reporter created a fake verified Twitter account impersonating him.

Markey tweeted, “A @washingtonpost reporter was able to create a verified account impersonating me—I’m asking for answers from @elonmusk who is putting profits over people and his debt over stopping disinformation. Twitter must explain how this happened and how to prevent it from happening again.”

The Senator also attached an official letter he was sending to Musk with his questions:

“1. What was Twitter’s process for issuing paid-for blue checkmark verification of a Twitter account? What was Twitter’s process for issuing verification of an account that is “notable in government, news, entertainment, or another designated category” on your platform? Please describe the internal steps at Twitter that were supposed to be followed for these processes.”

“2. How did the paid-for blue check verification process differ from he free verification process that preceded it?”

“3. How was the Washington Post reporter able to obtain verification of a fake Senator Ed Markey Twitter account? Specifically, did Twitter fail to follow its internal polices for paid verification, and, if so, which ones? If Twitter did follow those policies, please explain how Twitter’s system nevertheless allowed the reporter to obtain verification of the fake account.”

“4. Is Twitter planning to reintroduce a verification system? If so, please explain how it will work, whether it will be free or paid-for, and how it will prevent the verification of fake accounts.”

Musk responded to the Senator’s tweet with, “Perhaps it is because your real account sounds like a parody?”

Musk also added in a separate response, “And why does your pp have a mask!?”

Perhaps it is because your real account sounds like a parody?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2022

And why does your pp have a mask!?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2022

Seemingly unamused with Musk’s response Markey replied, “One of your companies is under an FTC consent decree. Auto safety watchdog NHTSA is investigating another for killing people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online. Fix your companies. Or Congress will.”

One of your companies is under an FTC consent decree. Auto safety watchdog NHTSA is investigating another for killing people. And you’re spending your time picking fights online. Fix your companies. Or Congress will. https://t.co/lE178gPRoM

— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) November 13, 2022

Currently, Twitter has paused new blue check accounts on Twitter as imposter accounts became too much. It isn’t clear if Markey’s letter is the reason behind the pause but it is probably safe to say that it added to the decision.

Musk took over Twitter at the end of October and has been making changes and fielding questions since then. There have been many bumps in the road over the past couple of weeks, but it seems Musk is optimistic that they can work out all these problems.