- X is planning to charge all new users a ‘small fee’ in order to interact with posts
- Musk claims this is the ‘only way’ to stop fake or bot accounts on the platform
From paywalled features to a huge rebrand, its safe to say that X (formerly Twitter) has completely transformed in the 18 months since Elon Musk took over.
Now, the self-proclaimed ‘chief twit’ has teased his next big change – and it could prove costly.
X is planning to start charging all new users a ‘small fee’ in order to interact with posts, Musk has said.
Replying to an account which had posted about the possible changes, the Tesla and SpaceX boss said charging new users to post, like and reply is the ‘only way’ to stop fake or bot accounts on the platform.
The news has not gone down well with many users, with one warning such a change would ‘drive millions of people away from the platform.’
From paywalled features to a huge rebrand, its safe to say that X (formerly Twitter ) has completely transformed in the 18 months since Elon Musk took over. Now, the self-proclaimed ‘chief twit’ has teased his next big change – and it could prove costly
X is planning to start charging all new users a ‘small fee’ in order to interact with posts, Musk has said
READ MORE: ‘Influential’ X accounts are being given complimentary blue verification badges whether they want them or not
Last year, X launched a pilot scheme in New Zealand and the Philippines which required new users to pay a one-dollar-a-year subscription in order to access key features.
Mr Musk’s comments suggest that trial will now be rolled out more widely.
‘Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots,’ he said.
‘Current AI (and troll farms) can pass “Are you a bot?” with ease.
‘The onslaught of fake accounts also uses up the available namespace, so many good handles are taken as a result.’
In a further reply to another account which questioned the approach, Mr Musk said the fee might only be in place for the first three months after a new user joins the platform.
However, several users have expressed their concerns about the proposed changes.
One user replied: ‘X Premium doesn’t stop bots, so why would a small fee have any effect? It is just going to drive millions of people away from the platform.’
One user replied: ‘X Premium doesn’t stop bots, so why would a small fee have any effect? It is just going to drive millions of people away from the platform’
Replying to Musk, one user wrote: ‘Not good. Being able to like or bookmark or reply should be free. ‘X can’t be a town hall if ppl need to pay to speak. Freedom of speech should be free.’
One user vented: ‘Bots are profitable. They’ll just pay the fee too’
READ MORE: Elon Musk says AI has ‘more positives than negatives’ as he launches his own anti-woke chat bot
Replying to Musk, another wrote: ‘Not good. Being able to like or bookmark or reply should be free. X can’t be a town hall if ppl need to pay to speak. Freedom of speech should be free.’
And one vented: ‘Bots are profitable. They’ll just pay the fee too.’
The billionaire said eradicating fake and bot accounts was a key priority for him when taking over the platform in late 2022.
However, many users have since reported seeing an increase in spam content, in part due to Mr Musk’s substantial cutbacks to staff, including the firm’s content moderation team.
The revamp to the verification system, which means anyone can now pay to be verified on the platform and have their posts and replies placed more prominently on the site, has also been attributed by some to the rising visibility of spam content.
Mr Musk has previously suggested that all users could eventually have to pay to use X.
Since his takeover, it has been reported that the platform has seen substantial revenue decline as advertisers have abandoned it over concerns about Mr Musk’s belief in ‘absolute free speech’ and his tolerance of more controversial content.
It has led the company to turn to subscription options – including X Premium, which enables users to pay to be verified – in order to open up new income streams.
Read more
News Related
-
Anyone who’s purchased gift baskets to hand out to loved ones this holiday season might need to find a backup present after the latest food recall that involves festive cookies. Gift basket company Wine Country Gift Baskets just announced that it is voluntarily recalling all gift baskets that feature Acorn Baking ...
See Details:
Recall Just Announced For Popular Cookies Featured In Holiday Gift Baskets
-
LOS ANGELES: Quarterback Jalen Hurts ran in an overtime touchdown to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 37-34 NFL win over the Buffalo Bills Sunday (Monday in Manila) and move them to 10-1 on the season. The Eagles, who lost the Super Bowl to Kansas City last season, trailed at half-time ...
See Details:
Eagles rally past Bills in overtime as Chiefs win
-
Yen Makabenta First word WHILE UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other promoters of the climate emergency are preparing to convene the 28th conference of the parties (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates, starting on November 30 and stretching to December 12, ...
See Details:
Reality bites the green energy agenda
-
Sandigan orders Marcos Sr. pal to pay workers The Sandiganbayan has ordered the enforcement of a July 2023 ruling ordering a Marcos Sr. associate to pay a lumber company’s workers P2.1 million in damages as well as return 60 percent of their company’s shares and pay all unpaid benefits. The ...
See Details:
Sandigan orders Marcos Sr. pal to pay workers
-
DSWD: Shear line, LPA affect 1.2 million people; over 18,000 families evacuated MANILA, Philippines – More than 18,000 families have fled to evacuation centers across flood-affected regions in the country due to the impact of the shear line and low pressure area. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave ...
See Details:
DSWD: Shear line, LPA affect 1.2 million people; over 18,000 families evacuated
-
-
MANILA, Philippines: The entire Luzon, including Metro Manila, is expected to experience isolated rain showers and thunderstorms as the northeast monsoon (“amihan”) and easterlies will be affecting the country over the next 24 hours, the state-run weather agency said on Tuesday. Weather specialist Patrick del Mundo of the Philippine Atmospheric ...
See Details:
Rain showers, thunderstorms over Luzon, including Metro Manila — Pagasa
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
'Naruto' live-action film adaptation is in the works
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
NASA Highlights Stingray Nebula
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
Manila's Lagusnilad underpass opens
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
China probes debt-ridden financial giant
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
China's VUCA situation
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
Unraveling the mystery that is diabetes
-
Attention, Naruto fans! You can soon watch the famous anime’s live-action adaptation as it finally has a confirmed writer. According to a Variety report, the beloved manga and anime series is set to head to big screens for its live-action adaptation under Lionsgate. It will be written by Tasha Hao, ...
See Details:
Bangladesh's nuke plant is not going to steal PH investments
OTHER NEWS
ALIW Awards Foundation Inc. President Alice H. Reyes has released the names of finalists for the 2023 Aliw Awards to be presented on Dec. 11, 2023, at the Manila Hotel ...
Read more »
WhatsApp Web gains the feature of single-view photos and videos (Photo: Unsplash) The WhatsApp Web, the desktop version of the popular messaging app from Meta, has received an update allowing ...
Read more »
Young athletes’ time to shine in Siklab Awards MANILA, Philippines — The future heroes of Philippine sports will be honored during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards on Dec. 4 ...
Read more »
Graphics by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas A local government official said Monday that five to 10 barangays in Northern Samar are still isolated following the massive flooding in the area last ...
Read more »
DyipPay app lets you pay jeepney fare, book tricycles “Barya lang po sa umaga.” Everyone who rides jeepneys knows this rule: it may not be an actual law, but it’s ...
Read more »
Updated In-Season Tournament Bracket ahead of pool play finale Tuesday will mark the last day of pool play for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. From there, six first-place teams and ...
Read more »
PCG forms teams for maritime emergency response MANILA, Philippines — Recent incidents of fishermen lost in the waters off Southern Tagalog have prompted the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to form ...
Read more »