X, previously referred to as Twitter, is currently running a trial of its ‘Not A Bot’ program in New Zealand and the Philippines. This follows the earlier report this month about X working on ‘X Premium,’ a subscription service with three-tier options based on the number of ads shown to the user.
X – Not A Bot program
The ‘Not A Bot’ program will charge new, unverified users a yearly fee of $1 for certain core features on the platform, including posting, replying, reposting, and liking.
The primary objective of this new subscription model, as stated by X, is to combat issues related to bots and spammers on the platform. The subscription fee will vary from one country to another based on exchange rates. Initially, this service will be available exclusively to users in New Zealand and the Philippines.
Impact on Users
During this testing phase, existing users will remain unaffected. However, new users who opt not to subscribe will only be able to view and read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts.
In case you’re not aware, Elon Musk, who acquired X last year, has expressed concerns about bots. In July, X introduced tweet-viewing limits to ensure user authenticity.
Explanation of Limited Rollout
X has not explained why the $1 subscription is limited to new users on the web and not the mobile app, or why the ‘Not A Bot’ program is only launched in these two countries.
It is possible that X has observed more bot activity in these regions, particularly via the website. Users who opt not to subscribe will have limited functionalities, only being able to view posts and watch videos.
How the ‘Not A Bot program’ works
For new web accounts in New Zealand and the Philippines, the process is as follows:
- Step One: Phone Verification: New accounts created in these countries will need to verify their phone numbers.
- Step Two: Select Your Subscription Plan: Users will have the option to choose a subscription plan with a 1 USD annual fee (prices will differ based on country and currency).
Pricing and Availability
For users participating in the ‘Not A Bot’ program in New Zealand, the fee is 1.43 NZD (Rs. 70 approx.) per year, while in the Philippines, it is 42.51 PHP (Rs. 62 approx.) per year.
Announcing the program, X support posted:
This new program is designed to protect the platform from bots and spammers who seek to disrupt the experience of our X users. We anticipate sharing further details about the outcomes shortly.