It should be easy to know when you’ve found the official YouTube channel of a creator, artist, brand, or public figure. So in late October, we’re updating what it means for channels to be “Verified” w/ new eligibility criteria & a new look. Details → https://yt.be/help/3QfB pic.twitter.com/JXOvMbkbns
If you wanted to make it easier to know when the channels are verified this just makes it harder. That gray mark doesn't mean anything. If you didn't like that checkmark you could've used a lock, flag or disc icon; or the same background with a green color.