X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, is to start charging some users a $1 annual subscription for the ability to perform certain actions such as posting, reposting, and replying.
Elon Musk announced the new program in a post on Tuesday, saying that new unverified users in New Zealand and the Philippines will be required to pay $1 a year, adding that existing accounts are not affected.
The move follows increasing speculation that the platform would soon launch some kind of subscription tier for those currently using X for free.
“Starting today, we’re testing a new program (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines,” Musk said in his message delivered on Tuesday. “New, unverified accounts will be required to sign up for a $1 annual subscription to be able to post & interact with other posts. Within this test, existing users are not affected.”
Musk said the test has been introduced “to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity, while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount, adding: “It is not a profit driver.”
So far, he said, subscription options have turned out to be the most effective way to tackle bots and spam on the platform.
More to follow …
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