The “X” platform, which was formerly known as Twitter, announced its plans to launch a paid subscription worth $1 annually so that new users can get the basic features of the platform. “X” stated in its statement issued today, Wednesday, that new users in New Zealand and the Philippines will be among the first to be able to try the “Not a Bot” program, or “Not a Bot.”
The “X” platform indicated that the new program, in which new users pay one dollar annually in exchange for access to the basic features of the platform, aims to defend against automated accounts (robots) and spammers who try to manipulate the platform and disrupt the experience of other X users.
Existing users will not be affected by the new subscription service. Those who choose not to pay the subscription fee will be able to perform “read-only” actions, including reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts. But they won't be able to like posts, reply to posts, repost, quote or bookmark posts.
It is noteworthy that on April 4, 2022, Elon Musk acquired 9.1% of Twitter shares for $2.64 billion. Following this move, Twitter shares saw an increase of 27%, recording their highest one-day jump since its listing on the stock exchange in 2013. Although Musk was offered a seat on the board of directors as part of this deal, which included a clause prohibiting him from purchasing more than 14.9% of the company’s shares. The American billionaire chose not to join the board before his joining decision took effect on April 9, 2022.
On April 14 of the same year, Elon Musk made a $43 billion offer to buy Twitter to turn it into a private company. This came in light of the laws imposed by governments on Internet platforms around the world, as Musk stressed the need for Twitter to adhere to those laws, with a focus on Twitter’s mediation and its recommendation algorithms.
In response, Twitter's board of directors pursued a "poison pill" strategy the next day, a tactic that allows shareholders to purchase additional shares to counter hostile takeover attempts. But on April 20, Musk submitted a new offer worth $46.5 billion, and by the 25th of the same month, the council announced its acceptance of the offer.
Musk has expressed his ambitions to make the tweet algorithm available as an open source to increase transparency, in addition to eliminating fake accounts and changing the account verification policy.
