Title: Twitter Implements Mandatory Fee for New Users in Selected Countries
Subtitle: Elon Musk’s ‘Not A Bot’ initiative introduces a $1 annual subscription for Twitter/X
By Pierre Herubel
In a surprising move, Elon Musk has followed through on his promise to introduce mandatory fees for new users on the social media giant X (formerly known as Twitter). As the platform struggles with financial losses, Musk has introduced a payment program called ‘Not A Bot’, requiring new users in New Zealand and the Philippines to pay a $1 fee to access essential features.
Existing Twitter/X users can breathe a sigh of relief for now, as the fees will only apply to new accounts. However, it’s important to note that this could be just the beginning of a larger trend.
Under the ‘Not A Bot’ program, non-paying new users will have severely limited functionality. They can follow other users and view their feed but will be unable to tweet, retweet, reply, or send direct messages. Musk claims that these fees are necessary to combat bot activity without hindering genuine users.
While X’s support team insists that the program is simply a test and not driven by profit, skepticism regarding the platform’s intentions is growing. Despite the recent resurgence of advertising revenue streams, X’s credibility has been tarnished by its continuous struggles with misinformation and hate speech. Questions arise as to why X discontinued third-party content moderation tools and removed features that allowed users to report fake news.
Experts warn that X’s problems are only getting worse under Musk’s leadership. Recent incidents, such as the rate limit crisis and the removal of features like Twitter Circles, have eroded users’ trust in what was once a beloved social media platform.
It remains to be seen whether the $1 annual fee will remain limited to the selected countries or expand to other regions. Musk has previously mentioned the possibility of a monthly fee for all users, raising concerns about the platform’s future.
Frustrated with these developments, many users have already started reducing their presence on X. The prospect of sharing credit card details with a platform that aims to become an “everything app”, incorporating various services like online shopping and food delivery, adds another layer of concern.
In the end, users long for the return of the old Twitter, a vibrant and inclusive platform for public conversations. Only time will tell how X’s monetization plans will shape the platform’s identity and user experience.
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