Open-source social media network Bluesky has seemingly benefitted from an exodus (or X-odus) of UK users from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) social media platform.
Bluesky, in an email, said activity from UK accounts has surged by 60% and “for 5 out of the last 7 days, the UK had the most Bluesky signups of any country”.
It follows a high-profile spat between Musk and UK prime minister Keir Starmer that flared up last week.
Starmer has accused Musk of spreading false information about the far-right riots that have hit British cities in recent weeks following the Southport stabbings.
Musk, in response, has criticised Starmer for the UK’s stance on tackling online hate speech through police action, using a Tweet to question “Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?”.
Musk even suggested that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK while accusing UK police of engaging in ‘two-tier policing’.
Two-tier policing is the theory that police forces treat ethnic minorities more leniently than white individuals.
Obviously true https://t.co/p8xnAgniKu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 10, 2024
Numerous Labour MPs including Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson, have shown solidarity with Starmer by opening BlueSky accounts.
X is no stranger to controversy. Advertisers have fled the platform since Musk took over for fears of their products being placed next to violent and racist comments.
He told advertisers politely to go away in June but has since launched an anti-competition lawsuit to force their return to the platform
Musk has proved an obsessive user of X, posting memes and other materials often with a conspiratorial and ‘anti-woke’ edge.
Is there any study contradicting this one? https://t.co/Iz2VUDVEtf
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 11, 2024
He has also become increasingly political, offering direct support to Republican nominee Donald Trump. This week, he hosted a two-hour-long discussion with Trump on X.