Elon Musk Suggests User Payments to Fight Bots on X (Twitter)

On September 19, 2023, Elon Musk, the prominent entrepreneur and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, disclosed that the social media platform is contemplating the implementation of a “small monthly payment” for its users. During a livestreamed conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk proposed that this fee could serve as a measure to deter and combat the proliferation of bots on the platform.

Musk emphasized the necessity of this approach by stating, “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots.” He shed light on the extensive scale of the issue, revealing that X boasts a staggering 550 million monthly users who generate between 100 million to 200 million posts each day. However, he did not specify whether this user count accounts for bots in any way.

This announcement follows a period of controversy surrounding Musk’s acquisition of the social network, during which he hinted at the possibility of suing the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The ADL had accused X and Musk of facilitating antisemitism and contributing to advertisers distancing themselves from the platform due to a surge in bullying and antisemitic content. Musk, during the conversation with Netanyahu, expressed his stance against “attacking any group” and made it clear that he is strongly opposed to antisemitism and any content promoting hate and conflict.

While Musk did not provide specific details about the cost associated with using X, he did refer to it as a “small amount of money.” He hinted at the development of a lower-tier pricing structure to address the issue of bots. According to Musk, this proposed user payment system is, in his view, the most effective defense against the infiltration of vast armies of bots into the platform.

Currently, X offers a premium subscription service that comes with a fee, granting users access to certain features such as the ability to edit a post and securing prioritized rankings in conversations and search. The pricing for this premium service starts at $8 per month.

This proposed payment system, if implemented, could reshape the landscape of social media and potentially serve as a means to counteract the pervasive issue of bot activity. As Elon Musk continues to shape the direction of X, the platform’s future and the potential changes to its business model remain topics of keen interest.