X is becoming a “pay to speech” platform with new tiered subscription based system

Hi guys! So, Platform X has rolled out this tiered subscription model, and at first glance, it seems like they're trying to get rid of the annoying bots on the platform. But if you look closer, you'll see it's creating a sort of pay-to-play scene. Now, if you can shell out 16 bucks a month, you get more eyeballs on your content. It's becoming less about what you say and more about how much you can pay to say it. Let’s delve in.

It's tiptoeing on a slippery slope towards a pay-to-play model. Just recently, they rolled out a new tiered system, $3 for basic, $8 for premium and $16 for premium plus per month tier which boasts of an extra boost. It's straightforward—the more money you shell out, the more eyeballs on your content. It's shaping up to be a modern-day caste system, with the content from people who can't pay up being shoved under the rug.

Now, I get the intent behind this; it's aimed at putting a leash on the rampant bot issue plaguing the platform. Bots have turned X into a wild west of spam, and it's about time someone took the reins. But is slapping a price tag the right way to go about it? Hmmmn I have my reservations.

Here's the thing, just the other day, I was reporting about how bots on X are shelling out $8 for verification checks. They're still spamming the living daylights out of the platform, either because they have excess money to burn or because the returns on their spammy endeavors are worth the investment. Now, with this new multi-tiered subscription, X aims to combat bots, but I'm not sold on its effectiveness. To me, it's shaping up to be less of an anti-bot measure and more of a speech restriction system.

Let's dissect this a bit. There's no solid guarantee that this fee will deter bot farms or cut down their activities. If anything, it seems to have made it more appealing to be a verified spammer or bot. With a premium subscription, your content gets a front-row seat, scammer, bot or not. It's a flawed system that, in essence, equates financial capability with legitimacy. If you can afford the highest subscription, you're legit, and your voice gets amplified over those on lower subscription tiers. The system's got it all twisted.

And let's not brush over the huge elephant in the room—the glaring inequality this system perpetuates. Take, for instance, folks from Nigeria, where the minimum wage hovers around $30. How are they expected to cough up $16 every month just to have their voices heard? It's a slap in the face to low-income earners and regions where $16 is a big deal. This model automatically mutes these voices in favor of those who can easily afford the premium subscription.

The core of the issue is that what was once a free platform for expression is morphing into a playground for the financially endowed. The beauty of social platforms is the democratization of voices, where every Joe and Jane can share their thoughts without a paywall stifling them. But with this tiered subscription model, X is straying far from this ideal.

It's not looking good, especially when you factor in the far-reaching implications. This pay-to-play model doesn't just impact individual users; it reshapes the entire discourse on the platform. It sets up a scenario where the narrative is controlled by those with deeper pockets, drowning out the diversity of thought that makes social platforms vibrant.

Furthermore, it's worth considering alternative solutions to the bot problem that don't hinder free speech or place a financial burden on users. Some platforms have employed sophisticated algorithms to identify and restrict bot activities, while others have leveraged community-driven moderation systems. Personally, I lean towards community driven moderation systems where reputation is key.

This venture into a tiered subscription model is a shaky move that threatens to erode the essence of free expression on the platform. It's a model that favors the haves over the have-nots, and that's a dangerous game to play. Sure, the bot problem needs fixing, but this ain't it. The fight against bots shouldn't come at the cost of silencing genuine voices struggling to afford a seat at the table.

Kindly share your thoughts below.

Thanks for reading.

header image was generated by Ai…

Posted Using InLeo Alpha