Elon Musk Mulls Charging New Users On X For Posting Privileges
Elon Musk has unveiled a new strategy to tackle the persistent problem of bots plaguing the platform. In response to a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) about changes on X's website, Musk announced that new users would be required to pay a small fee to enable posting privileges.
This move, Musk asserted, is the only viable solution to stem the tide of automated accounts inundating the platform. Acknowledging the inadequacy of conventional bot detection methods like CAPTCHA in the face of advanced AI technology, Musk stressed the need for a more robust deterrent.
X had previously experimented with charging new unverified users in New Zealand and the Philippines a nominal fee for interaction privileges, a model Musk hinted may be extended to other regions.
The announcement comes on the heels of a recent crackdown on spam accounts by X, which warned users of potential fluctuations in follower counts. While this initiative aimed to improve user experience, Musk's proposal of user fees for new accounts suggests a proactive approach to addressing the root cause of the bot problem.
Musk's concerns about AI bots are underlined by X's policy of using public posts to train machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence models. This dual approach shows the complexity of the issue and the necessity of new solutions to maintain platform integrity.
In parallel, Musk's AI company, xAI, has introduced the Grok chatbot to X's Premium users, initially available only to Premium+ subscribers. Reports indicate plans to further integrate Grok into the platform, potentially empowering users in post composition.
