Recently, Instagram introduced new features for livestreaming on its platform to enhance user experience. X (formerly Twitter) has also announced new changes that are coming to its livestreaming feature. However, unlike Instagram, X’s new changes will worry its users. As per the company, the ability to livestream will soon move behind its premium paywall.
In simple terms, only X Premium subscribers will be able to livestream on the platform. After this change, X will become the only platform to charge for this feature as it is currently free on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch and TikTok.
“Starting soon, only Premium subscribers will be able to livestream (create live video streams) on X. This includes going live from an encoder with X integration. Upgrade to Premium to continue going live,” X’s LIve wrote in an X post.
There was no explanation for the change. The company has used additional features such as post-editing, longform writing, and ad-free feeds to attract users to its paid subscriptions. However, it had not previously put widely available features behind a paywall. X Premium subscriptions start at Rs 215 per month for the basic tier and go up to Rs 566 per month for Premium and Rs 1,133 per month for Premium+.
In addition to this, there are certain indications that Elon Musk-owned platform may start charging users for certain features. It has already introduced a USD 1 annual charge for new accounts to have posting privileges in New Zealand and the Philippines. Although the company still calls this a test, Musk has indicated that he wants to expand the fees to all new users.
Meanwhile, X has undergone a significant change by making 'likes' private. This move aims to better protect user privacy and allow individuals to like posts without the fear of judgement or backlash. With the new update, when users like a post on X, it will no longer be visible to others. This change is part of a broader initiative to enhance privacy and create a safer space for interaction on the platform.
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