Microblogging platform, X, Formerly known as Twitter has rolled out a program in which new and unverified users will pay a $1 Yearly Subscription Fee.
This was announced in a statement shared on the support account of the popular social media platform on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
According to X, the program is now being tested in New Zealand and the Philippines. The test will allow new accounts to post and interact with other users.
The statement read, “Starting today, we’re testing a new program (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines.
“New, unverified accounts will be required to sign up for a $1 annual subscription to be able to post & interact with other posts. Within this test, existing users are not affected.
“This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit driver.
“And so far, subscription options have proven to be the main solution that works at scale.”
However, in a tweet Wednesday, Elon Musk, X’s chairman, admitted the motive for the annual subscription payment.
According to Musk, the amount will reduce spam and automated bot accounts.
“Correct, read for free, but $1/year to write. It’s the only way to fight bots without blocking real users.
“This won’t stop bots completely, but it will be 1000X harder to manipulate the platform,” Musk said in his tweet.
