In a recent live-streamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Elon Musk, owner of the social network X (formerly Twitter), hinted at the possibility of introducing a monthly subscription fee for the platform.
Musk argued that this change could help combat the issue of bots on the platform, as the low cost of bot creation poses a significant challenge. While Musk didn't specify the exact fee, he described it as a "small amount of money."
Battling Bot Armies
Elaborating on his idea, Musk highlighted that bots on the platform cost only a fraction of a penny to operate. By introducing a subscription fee, even if just a few dollars, the barrier to entry for bot creators would rise significantly.
This would discourage the creation of automated accounts, which are often responsible for spam and other disruptive activities on social media platforms.
User Metrics and Uncertainties
During the conversation, Musk revealed that X currently boasts 550 million monthly users who generate 100 to 200 million posts daily.
However, it remains unclear whether Musk's figures include automated accounts, such as news feeds or spam bots. This discrepancy makes it difficult to directly compare X's user base with Twitter's previous metrics.
Subscription Push Continues
Since Elon Musk assumed control of X, the platform has been actively promoting its paid subscription service, X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue).
Priced at $8 per month or $84 annually, X Premium offers various features, including post editing, reduced ad exposure, prioritized search rankings, extended post length, and more.
Despite these offerings, X has not disclosed the number of X Premium subscribers. Independent research indicates that it has not gained a majority of X's user base, with only approximately 827,615 subscribers reported.
A Historical Perspective
It's worth noting that Musk's contemplation of charging for access to X is not a new development. In the past, reports suggested that Musk was considering placing the entire X platform behind a paywall.
Focus on AI and Regulation
The broader conversation between Elon Musk and Prime Minister Netanyahu centered on AI technology and its regulation. Although AI and technology regulation were the primary topics, the discussion also touched on the issue of hate speech on X.
Musk asserted his opposition to antisemitism and any content promoting hate and conflict.
However, it's worth noting that Musk has been involved in controversies related to hate speech on the platform, including threats of defamation lawsuits against organizations accusing him and X of antisemitism.
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