Twitter boss Elon Musk has further tightened the rules for non-paying subscribers of the social media platform.
From 15 April only “verified” or paying subscribers will have posts recommended in the For You section, while non-payers will no longer be allowed to take part in online polls.
Revenues at Twitter have dived since Musk bought the firm for U$44bn last year, which has led the Tesla boss to sack thousands of staff and implement. a subscription service to try to revive its fortunes.
Musk said "The only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over. It is otherwise a hopeless losing battle."
"Voting in polls will require verification for same reason," he added.
Starting April 15th, only verified accounts will be eligible to be in For You recommendations.
The is the only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over. It is otherwise a hopeless losing battle.
Voting in polls will require verification for same reason.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 27, 2023
Critics of Musk, which includes thousands of ex-employees, say the switch to subscription, relaxation of rules about who is allowed to post and the boosting of the views of those who are paying, are making the platform a haven for trolls and extremists.
Prior to Musk’s takeover recipients of the blue tick accounts, which were free, were decided by the company.