SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook and Instagram owner Meta will launch a paid subscription service starting at $11.99 a month allowing users to verify their accounts, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Sunday (Monday in Manila), following a similar move by Elon Musk at Twitter.

Meta Verified, which will roll out first in Australia and New Zealand this week, will let users verify an 'account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support,' Zuckerberg said.