ELON MUSK PLANS TO CHARGE NEW X USERS TO LIKE OR REPLY TO TWEETS

X is planning to charge all new users a 'small fee' in order to interact with posts
Musk claims this is the 'only way' to stop fake or bot accounts on the platform

From paywalled features to a huge rebrand, its safe to say that X (formerly Twitter) has completely transformed in the 18 months since Elon Musk took over.

Now, the self-proclaimed 'chief twit' has teased his next big change - and it could prove costly.

X is planning to start charging all new users a 'small fee' in order to interact with posts, Musk has said.

Replying to an account which had posted about the possible changes, the Tesla and SpaceX boss said charging new users to post, like and reply is the 'only way' to stop fake or bot accounts on the platform.

The news has not gone down well with many users, with one warning such a change would 'drive millions of people away from the platform.'

READ MORE: 'Influential' X accounts are being given complimentary blue verification badges whether they want them or not

Last year, X launched a pilot scheme in New Zealand and the Philippines which required new users to pay a one-dollar-a-year subscription in order to access key features.

Mr Musk's comments suggest that trial will now be rolled out more widely.

'Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots,' he said.

'Current AI (and troll farms) can pass "Are you a bot?" with ease.

'The onslaught of fake accounts also uses up the available namespace, so many good handles are taken as a result.'

In a further reply to another account which questioned the approach, Mr Musk said the fee might only be in place for the first three months after a new user joins the platform.

However, several users have expressed their concerns about the proposed changes.

One user replied: 'X Premium doesn't stop bots, so why would a small fee have any effect? It is just going to drive millions of people away from the platform.'

READ MORE: Elon Musk says AI has 'more positives than negatives' as he launches his own anti-woke chat bot

Replying to Musk, another wrote: 'Not good. Being able to like or bookmark or reply should be free. X can't be a town hall if ppl need to pay to speak. Freedom of speech should be free.'

And one vented: 'Bots are profitable. They'll just pay the fee too.'

The billionaire said eradicating fake and bot accounts was a key priority for him when taking over the platform in late 2022.

However, many users have since reported seeing an increase in spam content, in part due to Mr Musk's substantial cutbacks to staff, including the firm's content moderation team.

The revamp to the verification system, which means anyone can now pay to be verified on the platform and have their posts and replies placed more prominently on the site, has also been attributed by some to the rising visibility of spam content.

Mr Musk has previously suggested that all users could eventually have to pay to use X.

Since his takeover, it has been reported that the platform has seen substantial revenue decline as advertisers have abandoned it over concerns about Mr Musk's belief in 'absolute free speech' and his tolerance of more controversial content.

It has led the company to turn to subscription options – including X Premium, which enables users to pay to be verified – in order to open up new income streams.

2024-04-17T11:21:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd