Twitter tests new DM restriction tools to combat spam

Twitter is implementing new features for its direct message (DM) restriction tools to combat message spam. These features aim to give users more control over who can message them on the app. Two new options are being tested: allowing message requests from verified users and people followed by the user, and allowing message requests only from people the user is following. These features will be available exclusively to Twitter Blue subscribers.

Furthermore, Twitter is considering a feature that would prevent non-paying users from sending message requests to people who don't follow them. This could have implications for outreach and customer service, particularly for users who do not pay for a verified account. Currently, being a "verified" user simply means paying $8 per month without undergoing any real verification or ID checking process during Twitter Blue's onboarding. Twitter defines "payment verification" as a form of ID confirmation, as only real humans can make the payment. However, it is important to note that this verification process is solely based on confirming the monthly payment to Twitter and does not involve any additional verification steps.

The primary objective of these new features is to prevent DM spam. By implementing these changes, only paying users will be able to send a large number of DMs to random recipients each day. This represents a significant shift in Twitter's messaging process and is expected to reduce the number of spam messages received by Twitter users.