By Julian Castillo
18 Oct 2023, 10:47 AM EDT
If you are one of the many who are wondering why X, formerly known as Twitter has started charging one dollar annually to new users in New Zealand and the PhilippinesYou are in the right place.
As of October 17, 2023, X has implemented a new measure called “Not A Bot” that involves an annual fee of one dollar. The reason behind this? Fight bots, spam and manipulation on the platform. In a digital world where bots can be a constant nuisance, X is taking bold steps to keep its platform free of these disruptions.
What is “Not A Bot”?
The idea behind “Not A Bot” is simple but effective. New users in New Zealand and the Philippines will need to verify their phone number and then pay an annual fee of one US dollar to get full access to the platform. This includes the ability to tweet, reply, retweet, like, quote posts, and favorite posts.
If you choose not to subscribe, you will still be able to enjoy posts and content on X, but your interactions will be limited to “read-only” actions.. This means that you will be able to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts, but you will not be able to interact in the same way as subscribed users.
The cost of this annual subscription is approximately NZ$1.43 and 42.51 Philippine pesos, making it a minimal investment for a more bot-free experience on X.
Why has X made this decision?
The answer is simple: X seeks to protect its users from bots and spammers who try to manipulate the platform and hinder the experience of others. Elon Musk, the owner of X, mentioned that setting up bots is a cheap task, and increasing the cost of an account can deter malware operators. Additionally, they would require new payment methods for each new bot, which adds an extra layer of security.
Elon Musk initially mentioned the possibility of charging all users in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the current plan applies only to new users, with the intention of making bot creation less attractive.
This decision is also part of Musk’s efforts to find alternative income avenues through X. Issues with advertisers and concerns over inappropriate content management have led to a 60% decline in advertising revenue. This has led to a search for revenue streams outside of advertising, such as the introduction of premium products and paid services.
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