Elon Musk’s X Introduces Subscription Model to Enhance Platform Security and Sustainability
Elon Musk’s X, previously recognized as Twitter, has initiated a trial in New Zealand and the Philippines, where new users are being charged $1 (£0.82) annually for access to essential features on the platform. These features encompass the ability to tweet, retweet, like posts, and reply to posts. Users who opt not to pay the subscription fee will have restricted functionality, allowing them to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts.
This strategic move aims to curtail spam, manipulation of the platform, and bot activity. Furthermore, new users will be required to verify their phone number. It is important to note that the creation of “read-only” accounts, which do not have access to these key features, will continue to be free.
Elon Musk, the acquirer of Twitter for $44 billion, has hinted at the possibility that all X users may eventually be required to pay for access in an effort to combat the significant bot issue. Musk argues that even a small fee can deter bots from operating on the platform.
In addition, a premium service, known as X Premium, is available to paid subscribers and offers additional features such as longer posts and enhanced visibility on the platform. The pricing for X Premium varies depending on the user’s country of residence, with the current rate set at $8 per month in the United States.
However, it’s important to consider that placing X behind a paywall could potentially lead to the loss of a portion of its user base, which could in turn impact the platform’s advertising revenue, a significant source of income.
Recent Developments:
In recent weeks, X has come under scrutiny by the European Union for potential dissemination of terrorist and violent content as well as hate speech, especially following incidents like Hamas’s attack on Israel. Additionally, it has faced fines from Australia’s internet safety watchdog for non-cooperation with an investigation into anti-child abuse practices.
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