X ban sees users in Brazil flock to rival Bluesky

Following a ruling by a Brazilian Supreme Court judge, the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, was banned in Brazil due to its failure to appoint a new legal representative. This decision, upheld by other judges, led to a significant surge in users for the rival platform Bluesky, which was founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. In just one week, Bluesky welcomed two million new signups, marking an unprecedented increase in activity on the app. The ban on X resulted in Bluesky topping the app charts in Brazil, surpassing other competitors like Threads. Data from Appfigures indicated that downloads of Bluesky skyrocketed by over one million percent following the ban, showcasing the immediate impact of the court's decision on user behavior. Prior to the ban, X had an estimated 20 million users in Brazil, while Bluesky's user base was significantly smaller, with around 6 million users reported in May. Bluesky's architecture is designed to promote decentralized communication, limiting the influence of corporations and governments while empowering users to control their own data. This approach has attracted users seeking alternatives to traditional social media platforms, especially in light of recent controversies surrounding X and its ownership under Elon Musk. The influx of new users forced Bluesky to temporarily halt new signups, highlighting the overwhelming demand for the platform. As users flock to Bluesky, the long-term implications for both platforms and the broader social media landscape in Brazil remain to be seen.