It's official: new Internet users who wish to register on the social network X (formerly Twitter) will have to pay to use it – in some countries. Within a support page which details this new feature, the platform explains that those interested will have to pay operating costs of one dollar per year, or approximately one euro at the time of writing these lines. . Those who already have an account are not affected and should – at least for the moment – continue to be able to post and react to tweets for free.
More precisely, These are the options possible with the web version, but it is a safe bet that users of iOS and Android clients will also be affected. As a reminder, prices may however change depending on the operating system. Indeed, Apple grants itself a 30% commission on each in-app purchase made via the App Store, developers do not hesitate to increase their prices accordingly.
Only a few geographic areas are affected
At least initially, X clarifies that only new users registering in New Zealand or the Philippines will be affected. A virtual private network (VPN) should therefore be able to create an account for free, by locating in another country. But platforms like Netflixalready know how to fight against this type of practice. It would therefore not be surprising to see Twitter take inspiration from this, to try to maximize its income.
Note also that a euro does not have at all the same value in the Philippines as in New Zealand, the purchasing power and the average salary being much lower in South-East Asia. It would therefore be wise to see Elon Musk's firm adapt its pricing depending on location.
And for those who don't give in?
Have you created your paid account, but your payment method cannot be reached during renewal or have you simply decided to cancel your one-euro annual subscription? This is a possibility already clearly considered by Twitter. The social network explains that if this is the case, the user will then see their account limited to “read only”. It will therefore be impossible for him to react to content, or to create it.
This new paid program, calledNot a Botby X, is for the moment presented as a simple test. And we don't know if new French or American users will also have to face a problem.paywall, in the future.
Would you be willing to pay to use a social network likeFacebook? Otherwise, what alternative would you prefer to stay up to date with the news or in contact with your loved ones?
Par : Twitter, Inc.
