Elon Musk Announces Fee for New X Users to Combat Bots

Highlights

• Musk plans a fee for new users on X to deter bots.
• The fee will apply during the first three months for new accounts.
• Cost-effective measure against spam, with specifics yet to be revealed.
• Past trial with $1/year tier hints at ongoing anti-bot strategy.

Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), is looking to introduce a “small fee” for new users to post and engage on the platform.

In his words, this move is a direct response to a relentless onslaught of bots and spam accounts, which have been a persistent issue on the social media platform since before he had taken over complete control.

Combating Bots and Spam

Text strings change detected (Website). pic.twitter.com/L5PGb79bCF

— X Updates Radar (@xUpdatesRadar) April 15, 2024

In a post on X, Musk explained that charging a small fee for new accounts to post is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.”

He argued that AI tools can easily bypass traditional “you’re a robot” tests, making it challenging to identify and prevent bot accounts from proliferating.

Fee and Subscription Details

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

Current AI (and troll farms) can pass “are you a bot” with ease.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 15, 2024

While the specific amount of the fee has not been disclosed, Musk stated that a bot costs only a fraction of a penny, making it economically viable for malicious actors to create multiple bot accounts.

However, if X charges even a few dollars, the running costs for bot operators would become prohibitively high, deterring them from creating new bot accounts.

Additionally, Musk clarified that users who do not pay the fee upfront will still be able to post and engage on the platform for free after three months.

It looks like the fee may only apply to new users during their initial three months on the platform.

Evidence of Implementation

Code found within the X app has confirmed the possibility of implementing such a fee system.

It seems that new users may need to subscribe to unlock posting and engagement capabilities from the outset.

Previous Experiments and Efforts

Musk’s commitment to eradicating fake and bot accounts has been a key priority since his acquisition of Twitter in late 2022.

Last year, X experimented with a $1/year subscription tier called “Not A Bot” in the Philippines and New Zealand, potentially laying the groundwork for the upcoming fee system.

While the specifics and rollout timeline of this fee system remain unclear, Musk’s efforts to combat spam and ensure a more authentic user experience on X continue to evolve.

FAQs

What is Elon Musk’s rationale for introducing a fee for new users on X?

Elon Musk believes charging new users a small fee is necessary to counteract the rampant bot activity on X.

This strategy aims to make the creation of bot accounts economically unfeasible, thus protecting the platform from spam and ensuring a more genuine interaction among users.

How will the new fee on X affect bot activity according to Musk?

By imposing a fee, even a minimal one, the cost of operating bot accounts will increase significantly.

Musk suggests that this financial barrier will discourage the proliferation of bots, as it will no longer be cheap or easy to create and maintain multiple spam accounts.

Will all users have to pay to use X?

No, the fee will only be required for new users to post and engage during their first three months on the platform.

After this initial period, users can choose to continue without paying, although the specifics of what features will remain accessible without payment have not been fully detailed.

What evidence supports the implementation of a posting fee on X?

Code within the X app has been discovered that supports the integration of a subscription model for new users, indicating that the platform is preparing to enforce this fee to unlock certain features from the start.

Has X previously tested similar strategies to combat bots?

Yes, X launched a $1/year subscription tier called “Not A Bot” in the Philippines and New Zealand as a trial to mitigate bot activities.

This initiative was part of Musk’s broader efforts to ensure authenticity and reduce fake engagements on the platform.

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