The social networking site X, run by Elon Musk, announced the launch of a new programme that will prevent new, unverified accounts from posting or interacting with other postings until they pay a $1 annual fee.
The programme is currently being tested in New Zealand and the Philippines, according to the business, in advance of going global.
However, this won’t have an impact on the platform’s current unverified users.
New users will only be allowed to perform “read-only” behaviours, such as reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts, if they choose not to subscribe when they sign up, according to X.
New users will have the choice to subscribe for a $1 charge, X Premium, or Verified Organisations when they sign up.
X said: “This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit driver. And so far, subscription options have proven to be the main solution that works at scale.
“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. Within this test, existing users are not affected.”
