Twitter’s blue ticks mysteriously return – even for dead celebrities

Deceased celebrities’ accounts that sported the blue ticks included US singer Michael Jackson and comic book artist Stan Lee. Photos: Screengrabs from Michael Jackson/Twitter, Stan Lee/Twitter

Confusion surrounding Twitter deepened over the weekend after a number of high-profile accounts saw their prized blue check-marks reinstated – even though some of their owners have been dead for years.

Celebrities and public figures took to the platform to deny having paid US$8 a month for the coloured tick, despite labels stating the “account is verified because they are subscribed to Twitter Blue and verified their phone number”.