- विज्ञापन -
Following the 2024 United States Presidential election that confirmed Donald Trump’s victory, social media platform X (formerly Twitter) saw its largest wave of user departures since Elon Musk took over in 2022, with many users shifting to alternatives like Bluesky, according to CNN.
Over 115,000 US users deactivated their X accounts the day after the election, a number that only accounts for those who deactivated through the website and does not include mobile app users, as reported by digital intelligence platform Similarweb.
This trend comes in the wake of Musk’s significant influence during the election. Bluesky’s user base has surged, doubling in 90 days to reach 15 million, with 1 million new sign-ups in just one week.
Musk has reportedly spent months using X to support President-elect Donald Trump. Researchers have also noted a rise in sexist language on the platform, including phrases like “your body, my choice.”
Musk’s earlier decisions—such as reducing moderation, reinstating banned accounts, permitting racist and Nazi content, and changing the verification system to favor those willing to pay regardless of their posts—have negatively impacted the company’s core advertising business.
Notably, several prominent journalists, including Charlie Warzel, Mara Gay from the New York Times, and former CNN anchor Don Lemon, announced their departures from X this week to join Bluesky.
The British news outlet The Guardian declared on Wednesday that it would cease posting from its official accounts on X, citing concerns over Musk’s influence during the US election.
In its statement, The Guardian expressed that the recent election highlighted its belief that X is a “toxic” platform and that Musk uses it to sway political matters.
Musk, who actively campaigned for President-elect Donald Trump, has been appointed as one of two heads of a new “department of government efficiency.”
In its communication to readers, The Guardian stated, “We believe the drawbacks of being on X now outweigh the benefits, and our resources could be better utilized to promote our journalism elsewhere.”
The publication noted that while it would stop posting from its official editorial accounts, its journalists would continue to use X as a source for news gathering. X, it added, now plays a “diminished role” in promoting its work.
The Guardian has over 80 accounts on X, boasting approximately 27 million followers.
