'Worst decision': Outrage as Elon Musk confirms X will charge new users 'small fee' to post on platform

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has confirmed that new users of the platform will soon be required to pay a "small fee" to access basic functions such as posting, liking, bookmarking, and replying, as per Forbes.

According to Musk, this measure is necessary to combat the persistent issue of bots and spam accounts that have troubled the platform for years. This decision has ignited a firestorm of criticism and outrage across the internet.

Elon Musk argues a fee 'is only way to curb relentless onslaught of bots' on X

Musk defended the decision, stating that a fee "is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots" on X. He claimed that artificial intelligence bots and internet trolls can bypass bot-identifying tests "with ease," requiring a more robust solution.

This move echoes a similar initiative launched last October in New Zealand and the Philippines, where new users were required to pay a $1 annual fee under X's 'Not a Bot' program.

Under this program, new users are required to pay $1 annually to gain access to basic features. While X promised to share the results of this pilot program "soon," no such findings have been made public yet.

Elon Musk's campaign against bots on X is not a new effort

The exact number of bots on X remains a closely guarded secret, but researchers have noted an uptick in bot activity during major events, such as the 2024 Super Bowl and the first Republican primary debate.

Musk's campaign against bots on X is not a new effort. Shortly after acquiring Twitter in 2022, he famously tweeted, "We will defeat the spam bots or die trying."

However, despite his efforts, the issue of bots and spam accounts has persisted, prompting Musk to explore more aggressive measures, such as the proposed fee for new users.

Internet erupts with outrage upon hearing news of 'small fee' for new X users

The internet erupted with outrage upon hearing the news of a "small fee" for new X users. One X user exclaimed, "This is like, the worst decision that an owner of a social media app could make... and he made it."

Another user expressed disbelief, stating, "Imagine charging users to be able to post on the app that one day was the image of freedom…"

A third user weighed in, remarking, "In a competition of bad ideas he would always win." Another person simply stated, "Nobody wants this…" A fifth user bluntly criticized Musk, saying, "He’s so stupid I can’t."

"I'm so sick of him, rich people always find a way to ruin the fun," expressed a sixth user. A seventh user pointed out, "Mind you, this solves nothing." An eighth user wrote, "He just keeps making this app shitty."

 

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