X Will Charge New Accounts $1 For Basic Functions Like Posting In New Zealand And The Philippines

Forbes Business Breaking X Will Charge New Accounts $1 For Basic Functions Like Posting In New Zealand And The Philippines Antonio Pequeño IV Forbes Staff I cover breaking news. Following Oct 17, 2023, 08:27pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Updated Oct 17, 2023, 08:45pm EDT Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline X, formerly known as Twitter, is testing its “ Not A Bot ” program in New Zealand and the Philippines that will charge new, unverified users $1 each year for some of the platform’s base features including posts, replies, reposts and likes—marking the platform’s latest subscription push since Elon Musk purchased the company last year. Elon Musk bought Twitter, now known as X, almost one year ago. (Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu Agency ... [+] via Getty Images) Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Key Facts New users will have to create an account through the $1 program, X Premium or through the verified organization plan to join and use the standard features. New users who opt out of the program will be limited to reading posts, watching videos and following accounts as opposed to interacting through reposts, replies and other features. X considers the new initiative a beta program that it can “modify, pause, or discontinue” at any time with no refund to participating users, according to the terms and conditions . Crucial Quote “This new program aims to defend against bots and spammers who attempt to manipulate the platform and disrupt the experience of other X users,” the platform said in a blog post . “We look forward to sharing more about the results soon.” Key Background Musk said in a livestream last month the platform was “moving toward having a small monthly payment for use of the X system,” claiming such a change was “the only way” he could think of to combat bots, which have continued to plague the platform under Musk’s ownership, even after he said prior to purchasing the company that he’d prioritize eliminating bots. Musk has already put some features on X behind a paywall with the introduction of X Premium, a premium subscription that starts at $8 a month or $84 a year and provides users with fewer ads, a blue verification checkmark and the ability to edit posts, among other perks. Musk has blamed some of X’s problems on the spread of bots, which have been found to amplify the prices of FTX-listed cryptocurrencies and were a point of contention throughout the legal battles leading up to Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. Further Reading Elon Musk Says He Might Put X/Twitter Behind A Paywall ( Forbes ) X CEO Says Platform Will Be Profitable By Early 2024—But Dodges Questions About Musk’s Monthly Fee ( Forbes ) Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Send me a secure tip . Antonio Pequeño IV Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions