Tesla CEO Elon Musk reveals plans to introduce a nominal monthly fee for X users as a defense against the proliferation of bots on the platform during a live-streamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister
In a surprising turn of events, Tesla CEO and owner of the social media platform X, Elon Musk, has unveiled plans to introduce monthly charges for users of the microblogging site. The announcement was made during a live-streamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Musk addressed the persistent issue of bots plaguing the platform.
While exact pricing details and the commencement date of this subscription model were not disclosed, Musk hinted at a “small monthly payment” amounting to “a few dollars” for users. This decision marks a significant shift from the current landscape of free social media platforms.
Elon Musk justified this move by attributing it to the challenge posed by the pervasive presence of bots on X. He emphasized that tackling this issue required a novel approach, as bots are remarkably cost-effective, often costing a mere fraction of a penny to operate. By introducing a nominal fee for users, Musk hopes to make the use of bots economically unfeasible, thereby curbing their prevalence on the platform.
Musk elaborated on this strategy, highlighting that when users have to pay even a small amount, the effective cost of deploying bots becomes considerably higher. Moreover, it introduces the additional hurdle of needing a new payment method each time a new bot is created, adding a layer of complexity for bot operators. This not only increases the cost but also limits the number of bots a single entity can deploy, as obtaining numerous credit cards, even on the dark web, poses challenges.
As part of the plan, Musk mentioned the possibility of introducing a lower-tier pricing option, with the primary goal being to make the fee minimal and accessible to a wide user base.
READ ALSO: Fuel Prices Set to Soar as Crude Oil Hits $95.70 per Barrel, Straining Nigeria’s Economy
The conversation between Elon Musk and Prime Minister Netanyahu also delved into the power of artificial intelligence, with the Israeli leader describing it as a “demon with both good and bad sides.” This acknowledgment underscores the growing importance of AI in shaping the digital landscape.
In terms of platform statistics, Musk disclosed that X currently boasts an impressive 550 million monthly users who collectively generate between 100 to 200 million posts daily. However, it remains unclear whether these figures include the army of bots that Musk is now determined to combat through the introduction of monthly fees.
This strategic shift in X’s business model reflects the evolving landscape of social media and the challenges posed by automated accounts. As Elon Musk ventures into uncharted territory with this bold move, the industry will be watching closely to see how it impacts the platform’s user base and the broader conversation on combating bots in the digital realm.
Source: Nairametrics
JOIN NOW
https://t.me/PAWSOG_bot/PAWS?startapp=6ZSAPFb3
Google News Channel
Follow us on Google News for Latest Headlines
Join Our WhatsApp, Facebook, or Telegram Group For More News, Click This Link Below;
WhatsApp Channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaELqhlHVvTXjDnUf80h
WhatsApp Group
https://chat.whatsapp.com/G6Lo3ss6WKLCOqBphZwQGk
Facebook Page
https://facebook.com/allmedia24news
Our Twitter Page
https://www.twitter.com/allmedia24news
Telegram Group
https://www.threads.net/@allmedia24news
