X Goes Paid: New Users In These Countries Must Pay $1 Per Year To ‘Post’ Content – News18

Elon Musk’s X (previously referred to as Twitter) will now cost you $1 per 12 months to make use of it as a brand new consumer from the Philippines or New Zealand, the corporate has quietly revealed by way of a brand new assist doc in its assist middle, and although a submit  from the platform’s official account.

This program, known as ‘Not A Bot,’ is alleged to be a subscription mannequin for “new users” within the Philippines and New Zealand. “This new test was developed to bolster our already significant efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity,” X notes. “This will evaluate a potentially powerful measure to help us combat bots and spammers on X,” because it allegedly balances the platform’s “accessibility with the small fee amount.” But notably, already present customers gained’t be requested to pay the $1 payment.

Simply put, in case you are a brand new consumer trying to make an account on X, and in case you are from the Philippines or New Zealand, put together to pay $1 per 12 months to X to have the ability to use it.

But one key issue customers should word is the truth that they could nonetheless have the ability to make “read-only” accounts to learn what is going on on X, but when they need to “write,” they would wish to shell out the $1 payment.

Since then, Elon Musk, too, has confirmed this growth. “Correct, read for free, but $1/year to write. It’s the only way to fight bots without blocking real users,” Musk mentioned, replying to a consumer on X. Musk additionally added, “This won’t stop bots completely, but it will be 1000X harder to manipulate the platform.”

X Will Verify Phone Numbers, Ask Users To Select Their Subscription Tier

As talked about on X’s ‘Not A Bot’ assist web page, X will first ask customers to confirm their telephone numbers once they enroll, after which they are going to be requested to select from the $1 annual plan, X Premium, or Verified Organizations. As Musk talked about, any new customers who select to not subscribe and use X without spending a dime will solely have the ability to carry out “read-only” actions, similar to studying posts, watching movies, and following accounts.

With that mentioned, it isn’t clear if this check program would comply with go well with in different international locations outdoors the Philippines and New Zealand, however contemplating Musk is following the narrative of taking the combat in opposition to the bots, it may very well be doable that this $1 per 12 months mannequin is expanded to different international locations as nicely—as a result of, in fact, the bots aren’t solely from the Philippines and New Zealand.