X (formerly Twitter) is implementing a $1 subscription fee in New Zealand and the Philippines to combat spam and bots.
Key Takeaways:
- X (formerly Twitter) introduces a $1 subscription fee for new users in New Zealand and the Philippines to combat spam bots.
- The subscription scheme, “Not A Bot,” aims to reduce scam and bot activity, restricting non-paying users to read-only access.
- Some in the crypto community argue that the $1 fee is insufficient to deter “sh**coin spammers” making significant profits.
- X has faced an increasing influx of bots and spammers since implementing its premium blue badge verification product.
X, the social media giant previously known as Twitter, is taking a proactive approach in its ongoing battle against spam bots and scammers. On October 17, the company announced the initiation of a new subscription method, aptly named “Not A Bot,” for new users in New Zealand and the Philippines.
The primary objective behind this new subscription scheme is to reinforce the platform’s extensive efforts to mitigate spam, manipulation, and bot-related activities. By imposing a nominal $1 charge on new accounts in these two countries, X aims to evaluate whether this fee can effectively reduce the prevalence of spam and bot-driven accounts.
X, formerly Twitter, has started testing a new $1 annual subscription model in New Zealand and the Philippines that owner Elon Musk said will combat fake accounts https://t.co/4MR7DUUc2C https://t.co/4MR7DUUc2C
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 18, 2023
X (Twitter) Action Against Spam
According to the company, “This new program aims to defend against bots and spammers who attempt to manipulate the platform and disrupt the experience of other X users.” Additionally, users opening new X accounts in these regions will be required to verify their phone numbers. Paying subscribers will enjoy full access privileges, including posting content, liking posts, replying, retweeting, quoting, and bookmarking posts. Non-paying users, on the other hand, will have access limited to read-only mode.
However, this move has sparked mixed reactions, especially within the cryptocurrency community, which heavily relies on X. Many argue that a $1 paywall is insufficient, as certain “sh**coin spammers” generate substantial profits from their scams. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of region-based charging, as bots and scammers often use VPNs and obfuscate their locations.
X has been grappling with an increased influx of bots and spammers since the implementation of its premium blue badge verification product, a feature that allows notable individuals and entities to verify their accounts. Elon Musk, the owner of X, has even suggested the possibility of implementing additional measures such as ID verification or KYC (Know Your Customer) to further address this issue.
Concluding Thoughts
X’s move to introduce a $1 subscription fee in specific regions to combat spam and scam bots is a significant step towards enhancing user experience and platform security. However, the debate within the crypto community underscores the challenges in effectively curbing spam in today’s digital landscape. The ongoing battle against bots and spammers remains a complex issue that will require continuous innovation and adaptation to maintain a spam-free environment for all users on X.