NEW YORK: Elon Musk, the owner of the online platform X, has indicated the possibility of implementing a monthly fee for all users on the platform. Musk cited the need to address the issue of bots, which have become increasingly prevalent on the platform.
Musk took control of X in October of the previous year, acquiring the platform for $44 billion. Since then, he has introduced a series of significant changes, including mass layoffs, the introduction of a paid premium option, reduced content moderation, and the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, including that of former US President Donald Trump.
In July, Musk revealed that the platform had experienced a significant drop in advertising revenue. Bots, which are automated accounts operated by computer programs rather than humans, have been a recurring issue on X. They are often used to artificially amplify political messages or promote racial hatred.
Musk stated that the company was considering “moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the X system.” He explained that this approach was seen as a way to combat the proliferation of bot accounts effectively.
Elon Must Proposes Minor Fee for X Users
Musk elaborated, “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. And then you also have to get a new payment method every time you have a new bot.”
This conversation was broadcast on the X platform and occurred amidst a dispute between Elon Musk and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US-based Jewish organization. Musk has accused the ADL of making baseless allegations of anti-Semitism, which he claims have driven away advertisers and negatively impacted his company’s revenue. He has even threatened legal action against the organization, seeking billions of dollars in damages.
Elon Musk’s proposed monthly fee for X users is positioned as a potential solution to address the challenge of bots and enhance content quality on the platform.
