Twitter to verify accounts to prevent fake tweets

Twitter plans to introduce "verified accounts" to protect users from fake tweets, according to the microblogging service's co-founder Biz Stone.

"We do recognise an opportunity to improve Twitter user experience and clear up confusion beyond simply removing impersonation accounts once alerted," Stone wrote in a blog posting.

The announcement comes after St Louis Cardinals baseball team manager Tony La Russa filed a lawsuit against Twitter over fake tweets made in his name.

Stone said the verified accounts will feature a special seal and will be introduced with a beta preview in the coming months for a select set of people.

These people will include public officials, public agencies, famous artists, athletes, and other well known individuals at risk of impersonation.

"This doesn't mean accounts without a verification seal are fake -the vast majority of Twitter accounts are not impersonators," said Stone.

Another way to determine authenticity is to check the official website of the person for a link back to their Twitter account, he said.