Twitter rival in India tests giving users power to self-verify

A verified profile on social media such as Twitter and Instagram – typically marked by a badge or tick next to the profile name – gives the user credibility because it means the service has confirmed the authenticity of the person. A verification badge is typically used by celebrities and other influencers, and obtaining one can be difficult and take weeks or months. — AFP Relaxnews

Koo, the microblogging and social networking app for Indian languages, is hoping to go one up on rival Twitter Inc by allowing users to self-verify their profiles, as competition for millions of first-time users heats up.

A verified profile on social media such as Twitter and Instagram – typically marked by a badge or tick next to the profile name – gives the user credibility because it means the service has confirmed the authenticity of the person. A verification badge is typically used by celebrities and other influencers, and obtaining one can be difficult and take weeks or months.