New and unverified users will now need to pay a $1 annual subscription fee to sign up for X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
This was stated in a statement posted on the well-known social media platform’s support page today, October 18.
The program, according to X, is currently being tested in the Philippines and New Zealand. During the test, new accounts will be able to post and communicate with other users.
We’re testing a new program (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines, according to the announcement, which went live today.
“New, unverified accounts will need to pay a $1 annual subscription in order to post and interact with other posts. Existing users are not impacted by this test.
“This new test was created to support our already effective efforts to decrease spam, platform manipulation, and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the modest fee amount. It doesn’t contribute to profits.
“And so far, subscription services have emerged as the primary scalable solution“
Elon Musk, the CEO of X, explained the purpose of the yearly subscription fee in a tweet on Wednesday.
Musk claims that the fee will lessen spam and automated bot accounts.
“You’re right, reading is free, but writing costs $1 per year. It’s the only method for battling bots without obstructing actual users.
“Bots won’t be completely stopped by this, but it will be 1,000 times more difficult to manipulate the platform “
