TWITTER has quietly rolled out its premium subscription service, Twitter Blue, in Malaysia, allowing local users access to the platform’s exclusive features.
Malaysia joins Thailand and Philippines as the only two Southeast Asian countries in which the service is available, according to a report by Lowyat.
Twitter has not made an official announcement about the expansion yet, but users can subscribe to Twitter Blue via Twitter web page for RM35 per month or RM369 per year.
Subscribing through the Twitter app on iOS is more expensive, with a monthly fee of RM50 or an annual fee of RM519.90, likely due to Apple’s app store commission fees.
But, Twitter Blue is not yet available on Android devices in Malaysia, and it remains to be seen whether it will be more expensive than purchasing through the website.
The premium features of Twitter Blue include the ability to edit tweets, upload longer videos in 1080p, early access to experimental features, and posting tweets up to 4,000 characters.
Twitter Blue subscribers will also receive a blue checkmark on their profile once their account is verified using a mobile number.
While Twitter Blue's launch in Malaysia is noteworthy, it remains to be seen if local users will be convinced to pay for the subscription.
Comparatively, Netflix's basic plan currently costs just RM28 per month, while a Spotify subscription is only RM14.90 per month.
The launch of Twitter Blue is part of Elon Musk’s plans to monetise the platform since his billion-dollar takeover. As the expansion rolls out in more countries, it remains to be seen if this service will generate revenue and user adoption. – The Vibes, March 10, 2023
