Elon Musk recently made a bold move to change the way Twitter operates by introducing subscription barriers, which has caused controversy among users. The changes were announced as part of Musk’s overall plan to address advanced AI bot swarms that are taking over the platform. However, many users are concerned that these changes may result in more misinformation, hoaxes, and frauds.
Musk Values Twitter at $20 Billion in Stock Option Offering
To understand why these changes have been made, it’s essential to look at the recent stock option offering made by Elon Musk to Twitter employees. In this offering, Musk reportedly valued Twitter at $20 billion, which is less than half of the full acquisition price tag of $44 billion. These numbers make it clear that Musk sees significant potential in the platform and wants to make changes that can help it grow and become more secure.
“For You” Stream Changes
Starting April 15th, Twitter’s “For You” stream will only highlight tweets from paying subscribers. While this move was framed as an effort to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over the platform, many users are concerned about its impact on free speech. The changes would mean that only paying subscribers would be highlighted in this stream, which could lead to greater discrimination against non-paying users.
Verified Status Restrictions
In addition to the changes affecting the “For You” stream, Twitter also recently announced that verified status will only be available to subscribers starting April 1st. This move has raised concerns among some users who believe it could lead to more misinformation and hoaxes on the site. Verified status helps users identify trustworthy accounts, and restricting it to subscribers could have serious implications for how information is spread on the site.
Extremist Postings on the Rise
One of the biggest concerns regarding the recent changes to Twitter is the rise in extremist postings. Many users have reported seeing more extremist content since the introduction of subscription barriers and more permissive content rules. This has made major advertisers unhappy, as they do not want to be associated with this type of content. It remains to be seen whether Musk can successfully address these concerns and help to curb the spread of extremism on the platform.
Reversal of Plans for “For You” Timeline
Following backlash from users, Elon Musk recently reversed plans to limit the presence on Twitter’s “For You” timeline to paying users only. The original plan was to limit the tab to display accounts who had paid for “Twitter Blue” and linked their account to a working phone number. However, after receiving criticism from many users, Musk claimed he “forgot to mention” that other users would also be visible on the timeline.
Focus on Automated Spam Accounts
One of the primary reasons for these changes is Musk’s focus on automated spam accounts on Twitter. Musk has been critical of these accounts and believes they pose a significant threat to the platform’s security and credibility. By introducing subscription barriers and other changes, Musk hopes to decrease their presence on the site significantly.
Shift Away from Ad Revenue
Another significant change that Musk plans to make is a shift away from being almost entirely dependent on advertising revenue for its income. Many advertisers have left the platform since Musk took over in October, and he wants to introduce new revenue streams that will help sustain Twitter long-term. While some users are concerned about these changes, others see them as an opportunity for Twitter to grow and evolve in exciting new ways.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s recent subscription barriers and changes on Twitter have caused significant controversy among users. While some see these changes as an opportunity for growth and evolution, others are concerned about their impact on free speech and trustworthiness. Only time will tell how successful these changes will be in addressing the platform’s ongoing security and credibility issues.
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