Elon Musk, head of the social network X (formerly Twitter), suggested that new users will have to pay a “small fee” to post on the platform for a period of three months.
He stated that charging new users a small fee to post is the only way to combat the constant onslaught of automated accounts, or "bots". Musk noted that current artificial intelligence, including troll farms, can easily pass "Are you a robot?" tests.
This measure will only affect new users of the social network, who will be able to post for free after three months, as clarified in a separate message.
Musk, who acquired Twitter in 2022, has not mentioned the total fee amount, when the measure might be implemented, or in which countries it would apply.
X already implemented a similar measure in New Zealand and the Philippines in October, where new users must pay $0.75 and $0.85 respectively for basic services such as message publishing. Those who decline to pay the fees only have access to the “reading” function of the platform, i.e. to watch videos or follow accounts.
This policy has already aimed to reduce unsolicited spam messages and reduce bot activity on the platform. "Bot" accounts – fake accounts that disseminate false information and rumours – have proliferated on the platform since Musk took over and significantly reduced content moderation.
