In a bid to tackle the persistent issue of bots on the newly renamed social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk recently proposed a strategy that involves charging new users a nominal fee.
The tech entrepreneur, who now owns the platform, believes this fee could serve as a deterrent to the “onslaught of bots” that plague social media spaces.
Addressing concerns about the efficacy of current methods such as CAPTCHA in identifying bots, Musk emphasized the need for a more robust solution. “Current AI (and troll farms) can pass ‘are you a bot’ with ease,” he stated in response to a user’s query about the changes.
Clarifying the specifics of the proposal, Musk mentioned in a follow-up reply that new accounts on X would be required to pay a small fee for write access. However, he assured users that this fee would only apply to new accounts, and after three months from their creation, they would regain the ability to post without any charges.
“Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots,” Musk reiterated.
As Musk proposes a new rule, this article five big changes announced by him since taking over Twitter.
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X in The Musk Era
Since Elon Musk assumed control, there have been numerous changes within the company. Some of these changes, such as the decision to reinstate suspended accounts for controversial figures like influencer Andrew Tate and US rapper Kanye West, have sparked considerable debate.
| 1 | Musk’s tenure saw a huge shift in monetization with the introduction of paid verifications through Twitter Blue, a move that democratized a previously exclusive privilege. As ad revenue dwindled post-controversies, Twitter Blue not only offered verification to the masses but also unveiled a host of exclusive features for subscribers. To equalize the field, ‘legacy’ verification badges were removed from all non-subscribers. |
| 2 | In a bold move in July 2023, Musk rebranded the platform as X, bidding farewell to the iconic blue bird synonymous with Twitter. |
| 3 | User engagement underwent a transformation with the implementation of daily post limits. Verified accounts could peruse up to 6,000 tweets daily, while unverified users were capped at 600, ushering in a new era of controlled content consumption. |
| 4 | August 2023 brought another notable change as Musk announced the discontinuation of the ability to block accounts. Instead, users could still mute accounts and block users in direct messages, altering how users manage their interactions. |
| 5 | Musk’s vision for a streamlined platform was further realized in October, 2023 when X ceased displaying headlines on posts linking to news articles on its desktop site. This move was intended to enhance the platform’s aesthetics and user experience. |
In a subscriber-exclusive post, Musk hinted at further changes, proposing the removal of metrics like replies, retweets, and likes, leaving only a “view count” on posts in the timeline.
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