Millions flee Twitter amid mass exodus of users

In the United States, the social media platform X has faced a significant decline, reportedly losing about 2.7 million active users over a span of just two months. This decline has coincided with a notable rise in the user base of its rival, Bluesky, which gained nearly 2.5 million users during the same period. The drop in users on X is largely attributed to its evolving user experience under the management of Elon Musk, particularly after he began promoting his Donald Trump-supporting Super Pac from the platform, which many users found off-putting. Prominent figures, including filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro and Mike Flanagan, as well as actors like Quinta Brunson and Mark Hamill, have contributed to this exodus by either leaving the platform or increasing their activity on Bluesky. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a politician who has retained her X account, has begun using Bluesky more frequently, indicating a trend among users who seek environments perceived as safer or more open to diverse opinions. According to reports from digital market intelligence firm Similarweb, the active user count on X has decreased from 32.3 million to 29.6 million since early October, marking an 8.4% drop. The disfavor towards X has grown increasingly apparent as certain long-standing members of the community express discomfort with the platform's current atmosphere, which they describe as harboring and amplifying more radical viewpoints. Organizations such as German football clubs have also distanced themselves from X, citing moral values that conflict with the platform's recent changes under Musk's leadership. The clubs reflect a broader sentiment that a lack of regulation regarding hate speech and provocative content has resulted in a less safe space for users. They have started exploring alternatives such as Bluesky and have not ruled out making a permanent switch, highlighting a critical shift in how platforms are chosen based on their alignment with users' values.