WASHINGTON: The social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Tuesday that it has started charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines for using basic features such as posting messages. X, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, stated that this new subscription system will aid in reducing spam and manipulative activities on the platform.
As part of a trial, new web users in the Philippines will be required to pay X approximately US$0.75 (RM3.50) per year, while those in New Zealand will have to pay US$0.85 (RM4) annually. These payments will grant users access to features like posting on the site. However, individuals who choose not to pay will only be able to use a “read-only” version of the platform, enabling them to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts.
In a statement, X said, “This strategy will serve as a potentially effective measure to combat bots and spammers on our platform while maintaining accessibility through a small fee.” It is important to note that existing users in the aforementioned countries will not be affected by these changes.
Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for US$44 billion (RM208.5 billion) last year, he has made several controversial alterations to the company’s management and products. He recently suggested the implementation of a nominal fee for all users as a means to tackle fake accounts; however, this proposal faced significant backlash from users around the world. – AFP
