Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has suggested that users of X, formerly known as Twitter, may soon need to pay for access to the platform.

In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk proposed the idea of introducing a small monthly payment system to counteract the prevalence of bots on the platform.

While specific details about the payment system remain unclear, Musk has previously expressed his belief that charging for verification could help eliminate bots and fake accounts.

Under his leadership, X has introduced X Premium, a subscription service that offers additional features to paid subscribers, such as longer posts and increased visibility.

However, the platform still allows free access to users.

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Musk emphasized the need to address the bot issue, stating that even a small fee could significantly increase the cost for bots.

Currently, X Premium is priced at $8 per month in the United States, with varying prices in other countries. Musk indicated that the company is exploring lower-tier pricing options to make it more accessible.

While implementing user payments could serve as a defense against bots, it carries the risk of reducing user numbers, which could impact advertising revenue, a primary source of income for X.

The conversation between Musk and Prime Minister Netanyahu also touched on the issue of antisemitism on the platform.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has accused X of not doing enough to combat antisemitic content.

Musk reiterated his opposition to antisemitism and expressed a commitment to addressing the problem.

Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the challenge of balancing free speech with content moderation and encouraged Musk to find the right balance within the confines of the First Amendment.

It remains uncertain whether Musk’s suggestion of user payments will materialize as a formal policy for X.