In a bid to combat the proliferation of bots on his platform, Elon Musk, owner of the popular online platform X, announced on Monday the possibility of introducing a monthly fee for all users. Musk, who acquired the platform for $44 billion in October of the previous year when it was still known as Twitter, has been implementing a series of transformative changes to reshape the platform’s landscape.
Since taking the reins, Musk has overseen a substantial reduction in the workforce, introduced a paid premium option, curtailed content moderation efforts, and controversially reinstated previously banned accounts, including that of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Musk disclosed in July that the platform had incurred a nearly 50% reduction in advertising revenue.
One of the persistent challenges facing X is the prevalence of bots—automated accounts managed by computer programs rather than human operators. These bots are often utilized to artificially amplify political messages or propagate racial hatred.
During a discussion with Musk on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns about online anti-Semitism and inquired about X’s strategies to prevent the utilization of bot armies for the replication and amplification of hateful content.
In response, Musk revealed that the company was contemplating the implementation of a modest monthly user fee for access to the X system. He explained, “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots because a bot costs a fraction of a penny—let’s say a tenth of a penny. But if users are required to pay even a nominal fee, such as a few dollars, the effective cost of deploying bots becomes prohibitively high. Additionally, obtaining a new payment method for each new bot adds to the complexity.”
This conversation, broadcast on X itself, coincides with Elon Musk’s ongoing dispute with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a U.S.-based Jewish organization. Musk has accused the ADL of making baseless allegations of anti-Semitism, which he claims have driven away advertisers and negatively impacted his company’s revenue. He has even threatened legal action against the ADL, seeking billions of dollars in damages.
Elon Musk’s contemplation of user fees on X marks yet another chapter in his efforts to reshape the platform and address the challenges it faces in combating the misuse of bots and fostering a more secure and responsible online environment.
By AFP
