Elon Musk, owner of X formally called Twitter says there are plans to commence a subscription regime of a few amount per month for all users to enjoy the platform. He adds that this has become necessary because of a prevalence of spam bots ravaging the social media platform.
(US) – In a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tech mogul Elon Musk suggested that X, formerly known as Twitter, might require users to make monthly payments for access to the platform as a strategy to counter bots and improve content quality.
While details about this proposed payment system remain undisclosed, it’s unclear whether Musk’s comments were spontaneous or hint at forthcoming plans by the social media platform.
Musk has been vocal about his belief that charging for verification could help eliminate bots and fake accounts on the platform, a strategy he has been exploring since taking over Twitter last year, resulting in the creation of X Premium.
Plans to combat bots
X Premium, currently priced at $8 per month in the United States, offers paid subscribers additional features such as extended post length and enhanced visibility on the platform.
Nevertheless, X continues to provide free access to users. Musk emphasized that the primary motivation behind implementing payment options is to combat bots effectively, as even minimal charges could make bot operations significantly costlier.
Musk also mentioned that they are considering more affordable pricing tiers to accommodate a broader user base.
However, the move to introduce payments might pose a risk of reducing the platform’s user base, potentially impacting advertising revenue, which constitutes a substantial portion of X’s income.
The conversation between Musk and the Israeli Prime Minister also touched on the issue of antisemitism on X, which has faced criticism from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for its handling of antisemitic content.
Musk reiterated his stance against antisemitism, and Netanyahu acknowledged the challenge of striking a balance between free speech and content moderation while encouraging Musk to address collective hatred effectively.
