A $1 subscription fee for X users in the Philippines is the latest in the long list of changes for the microblogging site we once knew as Twitter. Who will be affected with this change?

X rolls out subscription fee in the Philippines

Starting today, we’re testing a new program (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines. New, unverified accounts will be required to sign up for a $1 annual subscription to be able to post & interact with other posts. Within this test, existing users are not affected.

This…

— Support (@Support) October 17, 2023

Only new X users in the Philippines and New Zealand will be required to pay an annual subscription fee of USD 1 or roughly PHP 56.88. The goal? Help fight bots, spam, and more. According to Elon Musk’s company, X started implementing its ‘Not a Bot’ beta program last October 17. If you already have an X account, don’t worry, existing users will not be affected.

How will this new test work?

X’s ‘Not a Bot’ program involves two steps. Every time someone from the Philippines or New Zealand will create a new X account, they will first have to verify their phone number. Next, they will have to choose a subscription plan.

Those who will opt to pay the USD 1 annual fee can use X to post, like, reply, repost, quote and bookmark. Meanwhile, those who don’t want to pay for any subscription fee can only read and watch posts and follow accounts.

Pinoys have mixed reactions to the news

X stressed that the annual subscription fee is not a “profit driver” but is, instead, for the sake of removing bots. However, Pinoys have mixed reactions to the new program.

“Somehow it can be a deterrent. But the $1/year? (roughly P50) Kayang-kayang suportahan yan ng [confidential] funds. P125M nga 11 days lang eh,” joked one Facebook user.

“I swear if they decide to include existing users at a later date, wala na, finish na,” said an X user, weary with all the new changes in the site.

Others tried to look at the annual subscription fee change through the lens of the so-called bots and online trolls.

“Like paying $1 a year would stop trolls/troll farms,” said one X user.

“May nakalaan namang pondo para dyan mga troll farms,” said another.

Meanwhile, some Pinoys speculate on why X chose the Philippines and New Zealand specifically to test the program.

“Bakit kaya Philippines?” asked one user.

“The Philippines probably has a record number of bots although I thought it would be India or Nigeria for this matter,” said another netizen.

What do you think of X implementing an annual subscription fee in the Philippines? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube, to be the first to know about the latest news and coolest trends!