Elon Musk has recently proposed the idea of implementing a payment system for users of X, which was previously known as Twitter. During a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk suggested that charging for access to the platform could be a solution to combat bots and fake accounts. However, it remains uncertain whether this idea was a spontaneous comment or a sign of forthcoming plans that have not yet been officially announced.
Musk has expressed his belief that charging for verification could help eliminate bots and fake accounts on the platform. Since assuming control of X last year, he has sought ways to incentivize users to pay for an enhanced service, now known as X Premium. Paid subscribers currently enjoy additional features such as longer posts and increased visibility. However, it is important to note that users can still access X for free.
While there may be financial motives for the company to consider user fees, Musk emphasizes that the primary goal of charging is to tackle the issue of bots. He argues that requiring even a small payment from users significantly increases the cost for bots, as creating a bot account costs only a fraction of a penny. X Premium is currently priced at $8 (£6.50) per month in the US, and the cost varies depending on the subscriber's country.
Musk also mentioned exploring lower-priced options for users, aiming to provide an accessible and affordable tier. He believes that charging a nominal fee can act as a defense against the proliferation of bot accounts.
However, a potential risk of implementing a paywall is the possibility of losing a substantial portion of X's user base, which could subsequently impact advertising revenue—an essential source of income for the company.
During his conversation with the Israeli prime minister, Musk also addressed concerns of antisemitism on X. The platform has faced criticism from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for not doing enough to combat antisemitic content. In response, Musk stated that the company would take legal action against the ADL to protect the platform's reputation. Musk reiterated his stance of being against antisemitism, and Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the challenge of balancing free speech and content moderation while stressing the importance of eliminating hatred and discrimination.
As of now, it remains to be seen if X will indeed introduce user fees and how they will be implemented. The topic of addressing bots, as well as addressing issues related to content moderation and antisemitism, continues to be subjects of debate and potential action within the X community.
