At first I can see this. It would change if App.net gets crazy relevant. Maybe not as many direct from the source, but groups of dissident people could pool their resources to buy an account.
That also doesn't include the idea of sponsored accounts. Where App.net or charities in rich countries buy an account for someone in a conflict zone.
Why on earth would a group of people pool money to create an app.net account when they could post a tweet for free? Statements like that make me feel like we are super, super out of touch. We're not talking can't afford to eat at Benu 5 nights a week poor, we're talking can't afford their next meal poor. When its food to keep you alive or a part of an app.net account to broadcast whats going on to americans, the choice is going to be pretty easy.
Or, you know, rather than deal with the risk of getting caught through the money trail that creates, they could just use existing free services like they already do.
That also doesn't include the idea of sponsored accounts. Where App.net or charities in rich countries buy an account for someone in a conflict zone.