From Facebook Developer Wiki

Why is Facebook eliminating its Application Verification program? Was it unsuccessful?

We are standardizing the idea of verification to apply to all of the applications on Facebook Platform. We are evolving the program to improve the overall user experience and ensure that applications on Facebook Platform meet verification standards. We intend to make sure that the experience that our users have on Platform is of the same quality as they experience elsewhere on Facebook, which is something that we are constantly asked for by developers.

How will Facebook proactively ensure that all apps are verified?

Facebook will continue to be an open platform where developers can launch their application without approval from Facebook, however applications will also continue to be subject to review at any time. The Verification standards are now required of all applications on Platform and we're providing new principles, simplified policies and supporting examples to help developers understand what it takes to meet these standards. We will be proactively reviewing applications against these requirements. All developers must comply with the principles and policies, and we'll be upholding these expectations in the review process and in our enforcement efforts.

We will also expand our team responsible for policy enforcement on Platform so that they can support the upholding of the principles we've introduced as part of our roadmap. We intend to make sure that the experience that our users have on Platform is of the same quality as they experience elsewhere on Facebook. This is something that we are constantly asked for by developers and we are excited to be dedicating significant resources to making it happen.

When will it be discontinued?

On December 1st, 2009 we'll retire the Verification brand, as we scale what was a voluntary program into a set of principles that will be applied proactively across the platform.

What happens to the apps that have the Verified badge, along with the benefits that came with certification?

We're retiring the formerly optional Application Verification brand, submission process, fees and badge; the program's higher standards will be required and applications will be subject to review at any time. All developers must comply with the principles and policies, and we'll be upholding these expectations in the review process and in our enforcement efforts.

Will the Verification fee be compensated?

Developers will be compensated on a prorated basis for the initial fee, which was intended to cover costs associated with the application review process. All Verified apps will receive communication about these logistics in the next week.

What does it mean that you are designing the platform in a way that you can run core Facebook applications on the same set of APIs developers are building on?

As part of these initiatives, we are focused on designing Platform in a way that we can run core Facebook applications on the same set of APIs you're building on. This means a common set of APIs will be shared by us and third parties, as well as a commitment to building our site on top of fewer abstractions. With all of us working together, it will be critical for Facebook Platform to be efficient and optimized for speed. If our technologies aren't fast, robust and simple, we will feel the same pains that you do.