Elon Musk has unveiled a new strategy to address the persistent bot problem on his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter.
The X Updates Radar account reported that the platform would introduce a "small annual fee" for new users.
Musk confirmed this change, saying, "Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots."
In a subsequent tweet, Musk clarified that new users would encounter the fee for three months after which write access would become free. However, this announcement has caused some confusion as the fee is described as annual, not monthly.
This approach is not entirely new; the platform previously experimented with charging a $1 fee for new accounts in New Zealand and the Philippines last October.
Musk's initiative comes amidst ongoing challenges on the platform since his acquisition in 2022. The platform has faced issues with scammers leveraging bots for fraudulent activities, including directing users to scam sites through altered Twitter URLs.
While Musk aims to position himself at the forefront of innovation with ventures like the Cybertruck, AI and robotics, addressing bot infiltration remains a significant challenge.
The introduction of a fee for new users reflects an attempt to deter bots and enhance platform security, although its effectiveness and user reception remain to be seen.
News of the incoming fee for new users comes less than two weeks after X initiated a purge of bots on the platform, which Musk said would result in the people behind the bot accounts facing “the full extent of the law”.