Elon Musk has introduced a new policy that may not sit well with prospective users of X. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO disclosed that there might be a charge imposed on new users for posting content on the social platform. Responding to a user query, Musk explained that this fee is essential to combat the relentless influx of bots plaguing the platform. "Current AI (and troll farms) can easily bypass the 'are you a bot' verification," he remarked. Musk highlighted that the proliferation of fake accounts is depleting the available pool of usernames, making it challenging for genuine users to find suitable handles.
However, Musk assured that this fee would only apply to new users and emphasized its temporary nature. "That is much less cumbersome than dealing with the consequences of a flooded platform," he reasoned. He clarified that after a three-month period, new users would gain unrestricted posting privileges without any charge.
This move follows a precedent set last October when the platform initiated a $1 annual fee for new unverified users in New Zealand and the Philippines. Recently, X initiated a massive cleanup operation targeting spam accounts, a decision Musk had previously hinted at. As a result, several users experienced a reduction in followers as the platform purged bots.
The platform had been grappling with an influx of spam and porn bots in recent months, causing frustration among users. Musk had previously announced the impending purge of bots and trolls, signaling the platform's commitment to maintaining a healthy user environment. However, X has not disclosed the exact number of bots currently present on the platform.
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