➡The Shortcut Skinny: Twitter Blue woes

• 📱 iPhone users might have to pay more for Twitter Blue when the premium subscription service relaunches

• 👍 A new report suggests users will be able to subscribe for $7 a month

• 🤨 But those who subscribe through the iPhone app will have to cough up $11

• 🍏 It’s likely a way for Twitter to sidestep Apple’s commission fees

Twitter is reportedly planning to alter the price model of Twitter Blue and charge iPhone users more for the premium subscription service.

According to a new report by The Information, Twitter plans to charge subscribers $7 per month if they purchase the service through the site’s web page, but an increased $11 if they subscribe through the Twitter iOS app.

The report comes after Twitter CEO Elon Musk criticized Apple for taking a 30% commission on many iOS apps and in-app purchases. He called the cut a “secret 30% tax”, after claiming Apple had mostly stopped advertising on Twitter and had threatened to kick Twitter from the App Store.

Twitter Blue’s inflated price on iPhone is possibly a way for Twitter to avoid bearing the cost of Apple’s commission while adhering to the platform's pricing regulations. A final pricing model and relaunch date are yet to be announced.

Musk originally touted the subscription service as a way for regular Twitter users to add a blue verification check mark next to their name, and earn all the internet kudos that comes with the miniature tick. When it was relaunched in early November, the rollout was quickly halted and reversed, as anonymous users began using the verification mark to impersonate public figures – a problem even a second tick couldn’t fix.

A second go of the launch was supposed to take place on November 29, but Musk later pushed back that date for fear that more rogue accounts could game the verification system. Since then, Twitter has suggested it plans to curb such accounts by preventing newly created Twitter users from buying Twitter Blue verification. Musk has also said verified users will lose their blue tick by changing their name on the platform. 

Those measures are doubly important in light of Twitter’s recent revenue worries. Musk has already said he’s worried about bankruptcy and laid off half the company’s workforce. Keeping advertisers, like Apple, on side by assuring them their brands won’t be taken advantage of by verification trolls, and following their commission regulations, is likely all part of Musk's attempt to keep Twitter afloat.