X, FORMERLY TWITTER, ROLLS OUT US$1 ANNUAL FEE FOR NEW USERS

Wed 18 October 2023:

After taking over the social networking site X, formerly known as Twitter, last year, Elon Musk unveiled a new membership plan that charges new users $1 to access functions like message posting.

According to AFP, the move is a part of X’s plan to strengthen its protection against spam, manipulation, and bot activity on the platform. It is being implemented first in New Zealand and the Philippines.

In a statement, X announced this new strategy and reaffirmed its commitment to dealing with spam and manipulation.

In the Philippines, new online users are obliged to pay between $0.75 and $0.85 a year under this trial subscription model to gain access to basic features, such as publishing material on the platform.

Users who opt not to pay this nominal fee will be relegated to a “read-only” version of the platform. While they can still read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts, they won’t be able to actively participate by posting their own content.

“This will evaluate a potentially powerful measure to help us combat bots and spammers on X, while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount,” the statement read.

Notably, the introduction of these charges will have no impact on existing users in the Philippines and New Zealand. The subscription model specifically targets new users, seeking to create a more controlled environment as they onboard the platform.

Elon Musk made a number of controversial changes to the platform’s administration and product offerings after purchasing X last year for a hefty $44 billion.

Notably, Musk suggested charging a small fee to every user in order to stop the spread of fraudulent accounts.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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