Twitter Tests New "Verified Account"

From their help page (found here):

"To prevent identity confusion, Twitter is experimenting (beta testing) with a 'Verified Account' feature. We're working to establish authenticity with people who deal with impersonation or identity confusion on a regular basis. Accounts with aare the real thing!"

According to this help page, this new feature is to help those who deal with impostors on a regular basis. Those who have been verified are supposed to be real and authentic. It does not mean that the ones without the badge are fakes, they don't have the ability to verify every account. Therefore, they are slapping this badge on a handful of celebrity accounts.

Right now, they are starting with a handful of accounts of people known to have impersonators or identity confusion. They are currently verifying accounts belonging to "well-known artists, athletes, actors, public officials, and public agencies," but may verify more accounts in the future.