Elon Musk Wants X Posting Fees for New Users
The Tesla founder is trying to rid the social media platform of bots, but critiques believe charging users for post will not work
April 16, 2024 07:07 AM
Reading time: 1 minute, 34 seconds
TL;DR To combat the persistent spam issue on X, owner Elon Musk is considering implementing a fee for new users. This move aims to deter bots, particularly those touting crypto scams, but has sparked debate over its potential effectiveness and impact on user growth.
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has unveiled plans to introduce a charge for new users on his microblogging platform X, previously known as Twitter, aiming to address the platform's ongoing spam problem. Musk, who acquired X in a $44 billion deal in October 2022, voiced concerns over the relentless bot attacks plaguing the site.
"Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots," Musk stated, emphasizing the inadequacy of current measures like CAPTCHA in thwarting AI-driven or manually operated spam accounts.
Musk's battle against bots has been a central focus of his tenure as X's owner. The platform's inability to effectively manage the proliferation of fake accounts has led to the monopolization of desirable usernames and decreased overall user experience.
In an experimental move, X has already tested a 'Not A Bot' subscription in New Zealand and the Philippines, requiring a $1 fee for new users to access essential functions.
However, the proposed solution has its critics. Blockchain expert ZachXBT and others have pointed out that scammers often invest significant amounts of money to maintain their presence on the platform, suggesting that a small fee might not be a sufficient deterrent.
Moreover, internal sources raised concerns about the potential negative impact on new user growth and the platform's effectiveness in identifying and eliminating pre-existing fake accounts.
In response to these challenges, Musk announced a significant initiative to proactively eliminate accounts that violate X's rules against platform manipulation and spam.
This move, coupled with introducing free premium features for accounts with a substantial number of verified followers, underscores the platform's multifaceted approach to improving security and user experience.
Despite these efforts, skepticism remains about the fee's ability to reduce spam and bot activity on X significantly. The debate continues, with many awaiting further details on implementing the new policy and its long-term effects on the platform's landscape.
