• X experienced a significant drop in advertising revenue in July.
• Bots on the platform amplify political messages and hate speech.
• Musk suggests a small monthly fee to deter bot activity.

Elon Musk, the owner of the online platform X, revealed the possibility of introducing a monthly fee for all users to combat the proliferation of bots on the platform. Musk, a tech magnate, has implemented various changes since acquiring the platform for $44 billion in October the previous year when it was still known as Twitter. His actions have included terminating thousands of employees, introducing a paid premium option, reducing content moderation, and reinstating previously banned accounts, including that of former US President Donald Trump.

In July, Musk disclosed that the platform had experienced a significant decline in advertising revenue. Bots, which are automated accounts operated by computer programs rather than humans, are prevalent on X and are often used to artificially amplify political messages or propagate hate speech.

During a discussion with Musk on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns about online anti-Semitism and inquired about how X could prevent the use of armies of bots to replicate and amplify it. In response, Musk stated that the company was considering implementing a small monthly fee for using the X system as a means to combat the widespread use of bots.

He explained, “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.”

This conversation unfolded amid a dispute between Elon Musk and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US-based Jewish organization. Musk has accused the ADL of making baseless allegations of anti-Semitism, which he claims have scared away advertisers and harmed his company’s revenue. He has even threatened to pursue legal action against the organization, seeking billions of dollars in damages.

Also Read

Diplomatic Tensions Rise Between India and Canada

India expels a Canadian diplomat in retaliation. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau shares...