Under the trial, new web users in the Philippines and New Zealand will have to pay X around $0.75 and $0.85, respectively, every year, in order to access basic functionality like posting on the site.
WASHINGTON, United States - The social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, announced Tuesday that it has begun charging new users in New Zealand and the Philippines to use basic features like posting messages.
X, owned since 2022 by the billionaire Elon Musk, said in a statement that its new subscription method should "bolster" existing efforts to reduce spam and "manipulation of our platform and bot activity." Those who decline to pay the nominal fee will only have access to a "read only" version of the platform, limiting them to reading posts, watching videos and following accounts, the company said.
"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," it added.Musk has made a number of controversial changes to the social media firm's management and product since he acquired Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion.
He recently floated the idea of charging all users a nominal fee to use the site in a bid to tackle fake accounts, drawing sharp criticism from users around the world.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
| How Musk's X incentivises hate and disinformationNick Hedley | How Musk's X incentivises hate and disinformation
Read more »
‘Inappropriate’: Elon Musk’s ‘baby mama’ wants lawsuit tossedGrimes is seeking to dismiss the parental rights lawsuit filed against her by the father of her three kids, SA-born billionaire Elon Musk.
Read more »
Sasol, BMW and Anglo American to ink new agreement for green hydrogenSasol, BMW and Anglo American to ink new agreement for green hydrogen
Read more »
PODCAST: Somizi Mhlongo speaks to The Citizen about his new business venture ‘Sompire Kids’In the latest 'Slaying With Asa' episode, we have an exclusive interview with Somizi Mhlongo as he discusses his latest business venture, 'Sompire Kids'.
Read more »
– Building new talent for a changing industryAfrica's Best Read
Read more »