Elon Musk-owned X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced that it will test a new subscription model, "Not A Bot", under which you will have to shell out $1 as annual fee.
X, in a blog post, has claimed that the paid subscription model will help it defend against bots and spammers “who attempt to manipulate the platform and disrupt the experience of other X users.”
Under this model, you will have to pay the fee in order to use basic features including likes, reposts or quoting other accounts' posts. Bookmarking posts on the web version of the platform will also require subscription.
However, if you are an existing user, you don't need to worry about the company's new test. But new users will only be able to view and read posts, watch videos and follow accounts if they don't subscribe.
X said the new model will be first rolled out to users in New Zealand and the Philippines, adding that the fee will vary based on the exchange rate in different countries. For example, New Zealand users need to pay NZD 1.43 per year while those in the Philippines will have to pay PHP 42.51 per year.
