On Monday, Elon Musk, the proprietor of the online platform X, revealed that there could be an introduction of a monthly subscription fee for all users. This step is intended to diminish the prevalence of bots on the platform.
Since acquiring the site for $44 billion in October of the previous year, Musk, a prominent tech figure, has implemented various alterations. These include significant layoffs, the introduction of a premium paid option, a reduction in content moderation, and the reinstatement of previously banned accounts, including that of former US president Donald Trump.
In July, Musk stated that the platform experienced a roughly 50% decline in its advertising revenue.
Bots, which are automated accounts operated by computer programs instead of humans, are prevalent on X. They are often employed to artificially amplify political messages or spread racial hatred.
During a conversation with Musk on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue of online anti-Semitism and inquired about how X could take measures to "prevent the use of bots — armies of bots — to replicate and amplify it."
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Musk replied that the company was "moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the X system."
"It's the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots," he said.
"Because a bot costs a fraction of a penny — call it a tenth of a penny — but if somebody even has to pay a few dollars, some minor amount, the effective cost of bots is very high.
"And then you also have to get a new payment method every time you have a new bot."
During the broadcasted conversation on X, it was evident that the discussion coincided with the ongoing conflict between Tesla magnate Elon Musk and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish organization headquartered in the United States.
Musk has contended that the ADL's accusations of anti-Semitism lack foundation and have led to a decline in advertisers, causing financial harm to his company. He has even gone to the extent of considering a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit.
