Elon Musk-owned X (previously often called Twitter) might quickly begin charging new customers an annual charge to provide them entry to write down, like, reply to, or bookmark posts on the platform. The billionaire confirmed the plans to cost new customers on the microblogging platform on Monday, stating that the transfer was geared toward decreasing spam on X. A recurring charge on an annual foundation might be charged, in accordance with a report, however there isn’t any readability on the length for which customers will likely be charged for these primary privileges on the platform.

Musk confirmed the event after @xDaily, an account that posts information associated to the social media platform, re-shared a code tracker’s post in regards to the platform charging new customers earlier than they will make posts. The unique poster @xUpdatesRadar claimed to have discovered the details about this coverage inside the strings of codes inside the net model of X. Replying to the hypothesis, Musk mentioned, “Sadly, a small charge for brand new consumer write entry is the one strategy to curb the relentless onslaught of bots. Present AI (and troll farms) can move “are you a bot” with ease.”

The unique submit discovered info that hints at how the brand new coverage would possibly work. One block of textual content said, “New accounts are required to pay a small annual charge earlier than you are capable of submit, like, bookmark, and reply. That is to scale back spam and to create a greater expertise for everybody. You may nonetheless observe accounts and browse X totally free.” The account additionally claimed that the corporate had earlier examined this coverage in New Zealand and the Philippines.

Whereas curbing spam appears to be the primary motive behind the transfer, Musk additionally shared another excuse for enacting the subscription mannequin for brand new customers. In a separate post, he mentioned, “The onslaught of pretend accounts additionally makes use of up the accessible namespace, so many good handles are taken consequently.”

The announcement has garnered combined response from the consumer base. Some customers called the choice “unlucky however essential”, pointing on the subject of bot accounts spamming in style posts, whereas others expressed issues over its effectiveness. One consumer said, “Bot farmers have cash, as do skilled trolls and affect operators. If something, they’re extra prone to be prepared to pay than genuine customers as a result of that is actually their revenue stream.”