Elon Musk considers monthly fees on X, formerly Twitter to combat bot problem

Elon Musk, the owner of the transformed online platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has indicated that the platform may introduce a monthly fee for all users in an effort to combat the proliferation of bots. Musk, who acquired the platform for $44 billion in October last year, has been implementing a series of changes since taking the reins.

Among these changes have been the termination of thousands of employees, the introduction of a paid premium option, a reduction in content moderation, and the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, including that of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The platform has also suffered a significant drop in advertising revenue, losing approximately half of its previous earnings.

Bots, which are automated accounts operated by computer programs rather than humans, have become a prevalent issue on X. They are often used to artificially amplify political messages and spread racial hatred. During a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk was questioned about how X could prevent the use of bots to amplify online anti-Semitism.

In response, Musk suggested that the platform might require a small monthly payment for access, stating, "It's the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots." He explained that even a minimal fee would significantly increase the effective cost of deploying bots and would require the creation of new payment methods for each new bot.

Currently, X Premium is available for $8 per month in the United States, with varying charges depending on the user's location. Musk's proposal aims to address the bot problem while ensuring the sustainability and integrity of the platform in the face of evolving challenges in the digital landscape.