X's handle marketplace will sell some 'rare' usernames for millions of dollars

X is set to launch a "handle marketplace" that will allow paying subscribers to purchase "inactive" usernames, some of which could cost millions of dollars. The company will offer two types of handles: "priority" usernames and "rare" handles. Priority handles may include full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations, and will be available to Premium+ and Premium Business subscribers. Rare handles, such as short, generic, or culturally significant names, will be offered through public drops and an invitation-only process, with prices ranging from $2,500 to over seven figures. The process for acquiring rare handles is unclear, as X will consider a user's engagement and past contributions to the platform when deciding who gets them. The company has a history of taking away desirable handles from users, raising concerns about the security of handle ownership. Industry experts suggest that social media users should remember they don't own the content they publish on these platforms, and that a single billionaire owner can make decisions that impact users.