United States: The world’s top business magnet Mr. Elon Musk has stated that his online platform X, formerly known as Twitter, could introduce a monthly fee for all users to cut down on bots.
The tech billionaire has made numerous changes to the site after purchasing it for $44 billion in October last year.
Mr. Musk has fired many employees, added a paid premium choice, reduced content oversight, and allowed previously banned accounts, including former US President Mr. Donald Trump’s.
In July 2023, he mentioned that the platform’s advertising revenue had dropped by about 50 percent.
Bots, which are automated accounts run by computer programs instead of people, are widespread on X. They can artificially boost political messages or spread racial hatred.
While speaking with Mr. Musk on September 18, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the issue of online anti-Semitism and inquired about how X could stop the use of bot armies to replicate and amplify such hate.
Mr. Musk responded by stating that the company was planning to introduce a modest monthly fee for using the X system.
“It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots. Because a bot costs a fraction of a penny – call it a tenth of a penny – but if somebody even has to pay a few dollars, some minor amount, the effective cost of bots is very high.” Mr. Musk remarked.
“And then you also have to get a new payment method every time you have a new bot,” the X’s CEO added.
Right now, X Premium is priced at $8 per month in the US, with varying charges based on the user’s country.
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