X Tests $1 Fee for New Accounts to Curb Bots and Crypto Scams

Elon Musk’s crusade against spam bots on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is taking a new turn. In an effort to combat the prevalence of crypto scams and other malicious activity, X is testing a policy that would charge new users a one-dollar fee to access core functionalities like posting, replying, liking, and bookmarking content.

The announcement came in response to a post by the ‘X Daily News’ account regarding the testing of a spam reduction policy. Musk himself chimed in, stating on April 15th that “Unfortunately, a small fee for new user write access is the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.”

This move reflects Musk’s ongoing battle against automated accounts that have plagued X since his acquisition in October 2022. He argues that these bots not only disrupt user experience with spam but also “use up the available namespace,” making it difficult for legitimate users to secure desired usernames.

The new policy is currently being piloted in New Zealand and the Philippines. While the effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen, some experts are skeptical. Concerns have been raised that the fee might be a minor hurdle for sophisticated bot operators, while potentially discouraging genuine new users from joining the platform.

Whether the $1 fee proves to be a silver bullet against crypto spam bots is yet to be determined. X will be closely monitoring the results of this trial to gauge its impact on user behavior and the overall health of the platform.

Elon Musk Ramps Up Fight Against Crypto Spam on X (Formerly Twitter)

Elon Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter) has been marked by a continuous effort to combat spam bots. These automated accounts disrupt user experience and are particularly prevalent in promoting crypto scams.

New Weapon: $1 Fee for New Users

X is currently testing a novel strategy to curb crypto spam: a one-dollar fee for new user accounts. This fee would apply to core functionalities like posting tweets, replying, liking, and bookmarking content.

The policy stems from Musk’s response to an X Daily News post on April 15th. He expressed that a small fee for new user writing privileges is the only viable solution to the “relentless onslaught of bots.”

Why the Focus on Bots?

Musk has been vocal about his disapproval of bots on X since acquiring the platform in October 2022. He views them as a two-pronged problem:

• Disrupted User Experience: Spam messages flood user feeds, making it difficult to find genuine content.
• Username Hoarding: Bots occupy usernames, hindering legitimate users from securing their desired handles.

Pilot Program and Skepticism

The $1 fee policy is currently undergoing trials in New Zealand and the Philippines. While its effectiveness is uncertain, some experts have expressed reservations.

• Ineffectiveness Against Sophisticated Bots: Critics argue that a dollar is a small price for bot operators who can easily create numerous accounts.
• Discouraging New Users: The fee might discourage genuine new users from joining the platform, hindering overall growth.

The Road Ahead

The success of this initiative in tackling crypto spam bots remains to be seen. X will be closely monitoring the pilot program’s results to assess its impact on user activity and the platform’s overall health.