BusinessGeneral NewsNew ZealandPhilippinesSocial mediaX Corp. X Social Media Platform Trials $1 Fee for New Users in the Philippines and New Zealand to Combat Spam by Ryan Lee October 18, 2023 written by Ryan Lee October 18, 2023 7 comments Bookmark 17 In a strategic move aimed at curbing the proliferation of spam and fraudulent accounts, Elon Musk’s social media company X has initiated a $1 fee for new users in New Zealand and the Philippines. The initiative was announced on Tuesday and is implemented through an annual subscription model for new and unverified accounts. Known as the “Not a Bot” program, it will not be applicable to existing users of the platform. There is no clear indication as to why the trial is limited to New Zealand and the Philippines or how these particular countries were selected for the pilot. According to a tweet from the X support account, “The trial is conceived as an extension of our successful measures to limit spam, manipulation, and bot-related activities on our platform, while maintaining its accessibility by setting the fee at a modest amount. This initiative is not intended to serve as a significant revenue generator.” Table of Contents Further Inquiries into Platform ConductPrevious Changes and ChallengesPrevious Attempts at Revenue GenerationVerification and Impersonation IssuesSubscription Perks and LimitationsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elon Musk’s social media platform X tests $1 feeWhat is the purpose of the $1 fee for new users on Elon Musk’s social media platform X?Who will be affected by this new $1 fee on platform X?Why are only the Philippines and New Zealand included in this trial?Is the $1 fee a significant revenue stream for the platform?What happens to new users who don’t pay the $1 fee?What features will be accessible for new users who pay the $1 fee?How does this $1 fee relate to previous changes Elon Musk has made to the platform?Has the platform taken other measures to combat misinformation and spam?More about Elon Musk’s social media platform X tests $1 fee Further Inquiries into Platform Conduct In related news, the European Union has requested information from X on the handling of hate speech and ‘illegal content,’ especially concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. Criticism has mounted over the manner in which X has become a breeding ground for misinformation, particularly after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Previous Changes and Challenges Since acquiring X approximately one year ago, Elon Musk has executed numerous changes, including rebranding the service and making substantial staffing reductions, notably in the content moderation department. Critics argue that these changes have enabled the spread of misinformation on the platform. Previous Attempts at Revenue Generation Prior to this, Elon Musk had turned to premium subscriptions as a method for increasing revenue for the financially beleaguered platform. Verification and Impersonation Issues One of Musk’s initial moves after acquisition was to revamp the platform’s blue-check verification system. He introduced a service that would grant verification badges to users willing to pay an $8 monthly fee. However, this led to a surge in fake accounts and necessitated a temporary halt to the service just days after its launch. Subscription Perks and Limitations Under the ongoing trial, new users paying the $1 fee will be granted basic features such as the ability to post content, like or bookmark posts, and engage with other accounts through reposts, quotes, or replies. In contrast, new users who opt not to subscribe will have restricted access and will be limited to reading posts, viewing videos, and following other accounts. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Elon Musk’s social media platform X tests $1 fee What is the purpose of the $1 fee for new users on Elon Musk’s social media platform X? The $1 fee is part of a test program aimed at reducing the number of spam and fake accounts on the platform. The initiative, known as the “Not a Bot” program, is being rolled out in the Philippines and New Zealand for new and unverified accounts. Who will be affected by this new $1 fee on platform X? The $1 fee will only apply to new and unverified users who join the platform in the Philippines and New Zealand. Existing users will not be subject to this fee. Why are only the Philippines and New Zealand included in this trial? There is no clear information as to why the test is limited to these two countries or how they were specifically chosen for the pilot program. Is the $1 fee a significant revenue stream for the platform? According to statements from the company, the $1 fee is not intended to be a significant source of revenue. Instead, it is designed to curb spam and fraudulent activities on the platform. What happens to new users who don’t pay the $1 fee? New users who choose not to pay the $1 fee will have restricted access to the platform’s features. They will only be able to read posts, view videos, and follow other accounts. What features will be accessible for new users who pay the $1 fee? New subscribers who pay the $1 fee will be granted access to basic functionalities such as posting content, liking or bookmarking posts, and engaging with other accounts through reposts, quotes, or replies. How does this $1 fee relate to previous changes Elon Musk has made to the platform? Since acquiring the platform, Elon Musk has implemented a series of changes, including staff reductions and rebranding. The $1 fee is the latest in these changes, aimed specifically at limiting spam and fake accounts. Has the platform taken other measures to combat misinformation and spam? Yes, the platform has been under scrutiny for allowing misinformation to spread, particularly around the Israel-Hamas conflict. This new initiative is an additional measure to combat spam and fraudulent activities. More about Elon Musk’s social media platform X tests $1 fee X Social Media Platform Announces $1 Fee Elon Musk’s Changes to X Since Acquisition EU Requests Information from X on Hate Speech Misinformation Issues on X Platform X’s Previous Revenue Generation Methods Temporary Suspension of Verification Service on X “Not a Bot” Program Details You Might Be Interested In ‘Superfog’ near New Orleans blamed for highway crashes that killed at least 7 The UN stops delivery of food and supplies to Gaza as a communications blackout hinders coordination Israel and the US are at odds over conflicting visions for postwar Gaza Trump is returning to Michigan with hopes of repeating the battleground success he found in 2016 Rescuers Frantically Search for Survivors Amidst Ruins Following Earthquakes Claiming Over 2,000 Lives in Afghanistan Ron DeSantis picks up 10 South Carolina endorsements from former backers of Tim Scott’s campaign anti-spam measuresElon MuskGeneral NewsNew ZealandPhilippinesSocial mediasocial media platform XX Corp. Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Ryan Lee Follow Author Ryan Lee is a technology journalist who covers the latest trends and developments in the world of tech. He is passionate about new gadgets and software, and he enjoys testing and reviewing the latest products to hit the market. previous post Escalating Violence in Gaza Incites Regional Anger, Straining U.S. Alliances and Risking Broader Conflict next post Colorado teens accused of taking ‘memento’ photo after rock-throwing death set to appear in court You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 7 comments MoneyMatters October 18, 2023 - 12:05 pm if it’s not a profit driver, what is it then? A social experiment? Either way, a bold move from Musk. Yet again. Reply MarketWatcher October 18, 2023 - 8:26 pm One dollar isn’t a lot, but it could be a barrier for some ppl. And if it’s not about revenue, why charge at all? Curious to see how this’ll impact user numbers. Reply TechGuru October 18, 2023 - 9:05 pm Elon is always full of surprises. first the rebranding, then cuts in the workforce, and now this. Keep an eye on X, things are shaking up over there. Reply SallyQ October 18, 2023 - 9:57 pm So now they’re charging people to use social media? What’s next, pay per post? Still, if it helps to get rid of spam, maybe it’s worth it. Reply PoliticalView October 18, 2023 - 11:48 pm A $1 fee to limit spam? Guess it’s a small price to pay for quality. but how they gonna ensure it doesn’t limit freedom of speech? Reply JohnDoe October 19, 2023 - 2:01 am Wow, just a dollar to keep out the spam? Thats interesting. But why only Philippines and New Zealand? Seems a bit random to me. Reply CryptoFan101 October 19, 2023 - 6:38 am Elon’s at it again with his crazy experiments. Remember the verification for $8 thing? lol what a mess that was. Lets see how this one turns out. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
