All users may be required to pay for services on X, hints Elon Musk

Elon Musk, after buying Twitter, made substantial adjustments to the service, including renaming it as X and now, hinting the introduction of a tiny monthly subscription to prevent fraudulent accounts while addressing complaints that the platform encouraged hate speech.

In this article, we’ll break down the key developments and controversies surrounding Elon Musk’s X (erstwhile Twitter) takeover.

Discussion with PM @Netanyahu https://t.co/9rySOeZt2O

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 18, 2023

First major change - The birth of X

Elon Musk first major change was to rename Twitter as ‘X.’ This rebranding signaled a fresh start for the platform, with Musk hinting at substantial alterations to its operation.

Pay-to-Play

One of the most significant changes Musk introduced is the possibility of a small monthly fee for using X. This move is in response to the rampant issue of fake accounts or bots on the platform. However, the exact fee and the benefits it would provide remain undisclosed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went to the Tesla factory and took a tour with Elon Musk. They even went for a ride in the Cybertruck. 🤍 @elonmusk

🎥 @ElectricIsraeli pic.twitter.com/JYpKHLGLn2

— Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) September 18, 2023

Changes to user verification

Under Musk's leadership, X has revamped its user verification system. The traditional ‘blue tick’ verification for celebrities and public figures has been replaced. Now, users can obtain a blue tick and increased post visibility by paying a fee. This move is intended to discourage the use of bots and provide more transparency.

Licensing as a money transmitter

In a strategic move, X is pursuing licences to become a money transmitter in the United States. But, public records indicate that the platform has already received permission in seven states i.e., Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Missouri, potentially expanding its reach into the financial sector.

User stats

During a conversation, meeting that was broadcast live on X from Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk shared some impressive statistics about X. The platform now boasts 550 million monthly users who generate between 100 to 200 million posts daily. However, it remains unclear how many of these users are genuine individuals, and Musk didn't provide a comparison to Twitter's pre-acquisition numbers.

Hate speech controversy

Musk has faced criticism for not doing enough to curb hate speech and anti-Semitic content on X. While discussing advanced technology regulation with Netanyahu, he took the opportunity to address these concerns. Musk has hinted at the possibility of legal action against organisations critical of X but has not yet filed any lawsuits.

AI Roundtable with @elonmusk, @gdb, and @tegmark https://t.co/Ym3smNWTTb— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 18, 2023

From addressing fake accounts through a potential monthly fee to tackling hate speech controversies, Musk's actions are reshaping the platform. As X continues to evolve, the world watches closely to see how these changes impact on social media lanscape and online discourse.