X, previously Twitter, is now a paid app for new users in certain countries
X has started its “Not a Bot” program in order to purge the userbase, and now certain countries will have to pay for full access to what once was Twittter.
Twitter seems like a completely different social network from what we knew, ever since the bull entered the china shop. Obviously, we are talking about Elon Musk, who has made a 180-degree turn to the point of even changing the site’s name to something as insipid as simply X, but nevertheless what millions of users around the world liked least is the business model implemented until now... and the one that is to come.
Besides the paid verified verification process implemented shortly after being acquired by Musk, X will begin to be a paid service for new users in countries like New Zealand and the Philippines, where these tests will now begin, but from where they will surely spread to other regions in the world. This measure is part of the “Not a Bot”, which is their attempt to eliminate this type of account as soon as possible.
How much does a new Twitter/X account cost?
Specifically, the annual payment to maintain an active Twitter/X is $1 USD, which they have highlighted that this is something unique and simply to eliminate these accounts and not as a collection measure. If this amount is not paid, you will still be able to create an account, follow other users, and see other publications, but not tweet or interact with other users.
“This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity, while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount,” they said in an official statement. “It is not a profit driver. And so far, subscription options have proven to be the main solution that works at scale.”
However, there will still be bot accounts, although these will be limited to inflating the number of followers, and will not be able to spread content from other users.