X introduces reply lock for verified accounts

Elon Musk's X platform, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a new feature allowing users to restrict replies to only verified accounts.

This feature, released approximately 11 months after Musk launched paid verification through Twitter Blue, where users can obtain a blue checkmark for $7.99 per month, aims to enhance the appeal of verification.

The move has sparked a debate about the potential impact of this change. On one hand, proponents argue that limiting replies to verified accounts—those verified through payment, phone number, or even government ID—could help reduce harassment, trolling, and the spread of misinformation.

However, critics quickly point out that this approach has its shortcomings. Despite the presence of bots with verified labels and the existing prioritization of replies from verified accounts, concerns arise about the impact on open discourse and the potential creation of a "pay to win mode" on the platform.