X CEO responds to AP article on leaving Elon Musk’s platform
- The Associated Press published an article detailing how to leave Elon Musk's platform, X, which has seen a decline in users since Musk's acquisition in 2022.
- The article received backlash for promoting a pro-censorship narrative, with critics highlighting the hypocrisy of the AP sharing it on X.
- The situation underscores the growing tension between calls for accountability on social media platforms and the defense of free speech rights.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino responded critically to an Associated Press article that provided instructions on how to leave Elon Musk's social media platform, X. The article, published on a Thursday, highlighted a trend of users, including celebrities, abandoning the platform since Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022. Many users expressed dissatisfaction with the platform's shift towards chaos and toxicity, attributing this to Musk's controversial decisions, such as reinstating polarizing figures like Donald Trump. The AP article also noted that some users have migrated to rival platforms like Bluesky and Meta's Threads, citing Musk's behavior and the platform's environment as reasons for their departure. The article included a step-by-step guide for deactivating X accounts and was shared on the platform, receiving significant engagement, including 1,500 likes. Critics of the AP's article labeled it hypocritical, arguing that it contradicted the principles of free speech that X promotes. This backlash reflects the ongoing debate about the responsibilities of online platforms regarding harmful content versus the need for free speech protections. The tension between these viewpoints has intensified as more users and advertisers reconsider their relationship with X. Yaccarino, who took over as CEO in June 2023, was brought in to restore advertiser confidence after many fled due to Musk's controversial posts. Despite her efforts, major advertisers like Coca-Cola, Apple, and Disney have remained cautious, and the World Bank recently ceased its advertising on X due to concerns over the platform's content.