X, previously known as Twitter, has initiated a charge for some users to access essential features on the platform.
Quick Facts
- X’s “Not a Bot” plan is now active in New Zealand and the Philippines, requiring a $1 annual fee for users to tweet, reply, and more.
- Users can still read posts and watch videos without paying, but premium account holders, at $3.99 per year, will have the fee waived.
- Elon Musk, who acquired the platform last year, believes this approach will combat the proliferation of bots on the platform.
The newly introduced “Not a Bot” plan requires users in certain markets to pay an annual fee of $1 to access primary features like tweeting, replying, quoting, reposting, liking, and bookmarking. This change, which began in New Zealand and the Philippines, was announced by X in a post. However, users who choose not to pay this fee can still view posts, watch videos, and follow other accounts. Additionally, those who opt for a premium account, priced at $3.99 annually, will not have to pay the $1 fee.
Elon Musk, the current owner of X and also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been contemplating this move for several months. He expressed his concerns about the “vast armies of bots” on the platform during a conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister. X’s official statement mentioned, “This new test was developed to bolster our already significant efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity.” The primary goal is to strike a balance between platform accessibility and the nominal fee, ensuring that existing users remain unaffected.
However, the decision has been met with mixed reactions from the X community. While some users believe that many will abandon the platform, leading to a decline in advertising revenue, others don’t see the $1 fee as a significant hindrance. Since Musk’s acquisition of the platform in October of the previous year, he has implemented several controversial changes, including the rebranding of Twitter to X and the removal of the blue check verification system.
| For Further Reading |
|---|
| Elon Musk’s Acquisition of Twitter: Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his ventures like Tesla and SpaceX, acquired the social media platform Twitter in October of the previous year. This acquisition led to significant changes, including mass layoffs, resignations, and several controversial decisions like the introduction of fees and the rebranding of Twitter to X. Musk’s influence on the platform has been evident, with decisions often reflecting his vision for the platform’s future. [Wikipedia] |
Q&A
Why is X charging users an annual fee?
The primary reason behind the fee is to combat the issue of bots on the platform and reduce spam and manipulation.
How much do users have to pay for the premium account?
Users can opt for a premium account at $3.99 per year, which waives the $1 fee.
What changes has Elon Musk introduced since acquiring the platform?
Musk has made several changes, including rebranding Twitter to X, removing the blue check verification system, and introducing the annual fee.
Source: DailyMail.com