The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced that it is now charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines for using basic features like posting messages.
Owned by billionaire Elon Musk since last year, X stated that this new subscription method aims to strengthen existing efforts to combat spam, manipulation, and bot activity on the platform.
During this trial, new web users in the Philippines and New Zealand will have to pay X around $0.75 and $0.85, respectively, annually to access basic functionality, such as posting on the site. Users who choose not to pay the nominal fee will have access to a “read-only” version of the platform, allowing them to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts, but not post their own content.
The company noted, “This will evaluate a potentially powerful measure to help us combat bots and spammers on X while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount.”
These changes do not affect existing users in these countries.
Elon Musk has implemented several controversial changes in the management and product offerings of the social media platform since his acquisition of Twitter last year for $44 billion. He recently proposed charging all users a nominal fee to use the site in an effort to address fake accounts, a suggestion that received strong criticism from users worldwide.
