Elon Musk’s recent maneuver, known as Musk’s Twitter Transformation, has introduced a new era on Twitter, with restrictions aimed at AI companies accused of data scraping. This strategic initiative, driven by Musk’s commitment to user privacy and data protection, has resulted in a temporary paywall, limiting the volume of posts that users can browse on the platform.
New Restrictions on Twitter
Verified accounts now enjoy the benefit of browsing up to 6,000 posts daily, while unverified users are restricted to a mere 600 posts. Newly created unverified accounts face even tighter constraints, with their access limited to just 300 posts per day.
Musk’s Twitter Transformation
Musk, known for his dynamic Twitter presence, announced via a tweet that these restrictions would soon be expanded. Verified users can anticipate access to a whopping 8,000 tweets, while unverified users will be able to access up to 800, and new unverified users will be able to view 400 posts daily.
Reason for Restrictions
These restrictions were implemented shortly after Twitter reduced access for non-logged-in users. Musk justified this move by highlighting the rampant data scraping conducted by various organizations, which has negatively impacted the genuine user experience.
Monetization Strategy
This recent policy shift is just one aspect of Musk’s plan to monetize Twitter. Earlier this year, the company introduced a pay-for-verification system known as Twitter Blue, which costs $8 per month. Additionally, Twitter now charges for API usage as part of their three-tier API revision.
Organizational Changes
It’s worth noting that Musk has also made significant organizational changes since taking over Twitter. Linda Yaccarino, a former executive from NBC Universal, has assumed the role of the new CEO. Her primary goal is to mend relationships with advertisers who have reduced their spending on the platform.
Blame on AI Companies
Moreover, Musk has pointed fingers at AI companies that consume data for training large language models like ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Bard. However, he has not addressed the consequences of laying off over half of Twitter’s workforce, which has undoubtedly affected the platform’s stability.
Musk’s Vision for Twitter
While limiting access may seem counterproductive to attracting advertisers, Musk’s vision for Twitter seems to center around its monetization and maintaining a monopolistic status.
Concerns About Twitter’s Infrastructure
Despite the recent restrictions, concerns have arisen regarding Twitter’s infrastructure and reliability. Layoffs, unsettled financial obligations, and delays in fixing back-end issues have led to visible problems, potentially discouraging users from actively engaging with the platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s decision to implement paywalls on Twitter and accuse AI enterprises of data scraping reflects his relentless efforts to monetize the platform. As Twitter wrestles with issues related to its infrastructure and stability, the implications for users and advertisers remain to be seen.