Musk suggests X might implement a modest monthly fee for all users
Elon Musk, the owner of the online platform X, mentioned the possibility of implementing a monthly fee for all users on Monday. This consideration is driven by the need to combat bot activity on the platform.
Since his acquisition of the site for $44 billion in October of the previous year, Musk has implemented various changes. These changes include significant layoffs, the introduction of a paid premium subscription option, reduction in content moderation, and the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, including former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In July, Musk revealed that the platform had experienced a roughly 50% decline in advertising revenue.
Bots, which are automated accounts operated by computer programs rather than humans, are a prevalent issue on X. They are often employed to artificially boost political messages or promote racial hatred.
In a discussion with Elon Musk on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue of online anti-Semitism and inquired about X's strategies for preventing the use of bots, particularly in replicating and amplifying such content.
In response, Musk stated that the company was considering the implementation of a nominal monthly fee for using the X platform as a measure to address this concern.
"It's the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots," he explained.
"Because a bot costs a fraction of a penny — let's say a tenth of a penny — but if somebody even has to pay a few dollars, even a small amount, the effective cost of employing bots becomes prohibitively high.
"Furthermore, they would need to acquire a new payment method each time they create a new bot."
This discussion, broadcast on X, coincides with Tesla's CEO Elon Musk's ongoing dispute with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US-based Jewish organization. Musk has alleged that the ADL's baseless allegations of anti-Semitism have frightened away advertisers and negatively impacted his company's revenue, leading him to contemplate a potential lawsuit seeking billions of dollars in damages.
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