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| KIM KARDASHIAN |
Instagram has been informing stars who’ve recently applied to have their accounts verified that it has stopped the practice for users, and there won’t be any further verification on the popular site in the future.
For any Luddites out there: Verification confirms a user’s identity, then adds a check mark to a VIP’s profile so users know they’re legit. A-listers with verified accounts on the app so far include Kim Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leo DiCaprio and Drew Barrymore.
But sources say Instagram, owned by Facebook, ran into “serious legal problems” over its verification process and has been forced to pause it. Some suspect Twitter, which also has a verification system, had an issue with Instagram’s.
Meanwhile, Instagram’s help page currently reads: “It’s not currently possible to request a verified badge.”
And, “If your account doesn’t have a verified badge, there are other ways to help let people know that you’re authentic.
For example, you can link to your Instagram profile from your official Web site, Facebook page or Twitter account.” Unverified Instagram users include Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Katie Holmes and Kate Hudson.
“This affects everyone on Instagram who isn’t verified,” said a Hollywood insider. “Every celebrity, business person and brand wants to be verified, as it clearly makes followers easier to find them and is good for their brand.”
Instagram co-founder and CEO Kevin Systrom is believed to personally oversee the verification process. It isn’t known if the issue also extends to Facebook.
But a rep for Instagram insisted there’s no legal issue, saying:
“We are slowly rolling out verified badges and focusing on the public figures and brands that have a likely chance of being impersonated. The main purpose of introducing verified badges on Instagram is to make it less confusing for people to find the actual accounts they are looking for.”
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