Elon Musk is considering implementing a small fee for new users on X (formerly Twitter) as a measure to address the issue of bots on the platform. In response to a post by an X account regarding changes on the platform, Musk stated that charging a fee to new accounts was the “only way” to combat the influx of bots.
Musk highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between bots and genuine users, noting that current AI technology, along with troll farms, can easily bypass measures like CAPTCHA. He explained that new accounts would need to pay a fee for write access, but after three months of creation, they would be able to post without charge.
“This is only for new users. They will be able to do write actions for free after 3 months,” Musk clarified.
The policy change was identified by an automated account tracking updates to X’s website, which revealed that the company had previously experimented with a $1 annual subscription fee for users in the Philippines and New Zealand.
Under the updated terms and conditions, new X users will be required to pay a “small annual fee” before gaining access to posting, liking, bookmarking, or replying to tweets. However, following other accounts and browsing the platform will remain free for new users.
This strategic move could potentially benefit Musk’s company, particularly as X has been experiencing a decline in value. Since Musk’s acquisition, the platform has witnessed a significant decrease in its market value, with numerous advertisers withdrawing their spending in November. X reportedly lost $1.5 billion in ad revenue in 2023.