Technology
Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 2:09 pm EDT
Key Points
- X, formerly Twitter, is initiating a test where new users will be charged an annual fee of $1 to enable them to “post and interact with other posts.” This move is part of the company’s efforts to combat spam and bot activity on the platform and is introduced under the program named “Not A Bot.” The test will be initially conducted in New Zealand and the Philippines.
- Elon Musk, the CEO of X, had previously announced plans to transition Twitter to a subscription fee model, which is now being put into action. The company clarified that these changes are not primarily driven by profit motives.
- Users who do not pay the annual fee will have limited access and will only be able to view posts and follow accounts. Excessive bot activity has been a consistent concern for Elon Musk since before he acquired the company in October 2022. Under his ownership, Twitter has undergone significant changes, including modifications to user verification and cost-cutting measures that have raised concerns about the platform’s quality. The rollout of the paid subscription model on a global scale remains unclear.
X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced a test that charges new users an annual fee of $1 to “post and interact with other posts” as part of its “Not A Bot” program. The move is aimed at combating spam and bot activity on the social media platform. The test will initially be conducted in New Zealand and the Philippines. While the annual subscription fee is part of X’s efforts to address bot-related issues, it’s not primarily intended as a profit driver.
Users who opt not to pay the annual fee will be limited to viewing posts and following accounts. X’s CEO Elon Musk had previously expressed intentions to transition Twitter to a subscription fee model. Bot activity has been a recurring concern for Musk, dating back to before he acquired the company in October 2022. He has argued that Twitter, as it was then known, underreported bot numbers, and this issue played a role in his effort to exit a $44 billion acquisition deal. Bot activity has reportedly worsened since Musk’s ownership began.
Under Musk’s leadership, Twitter has undergone significant changes, including alterations to the user verification process and reductions in trust and safety teams as part of cost-cutting measures. Independent researchers have identified a substantial number of bot accounts promoting cryptocurrency tokens, which has led to concerns about the platform’s quality. However, alternatives like Bluesky, Meta’s Threads, and Mastodon have yet to establish themselves as meaningful competitors. It’s unclear when the paid subscription model will roll out globally.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/18/x-formerly-twitter-tests-charging-new-users-1-to-tweet-retweet.html
