Recent changes by Elon Musk to the social media platform X are causing a mass exodus of users. X’s controversial changes drive users to Bluesky, especially after concerns over harassment increased. Many are flocking to Bluesky, a decentralized platform developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Bluesky saw such a surge in new accounts that its servers temporarily went down.
The main reason for this migration stems from a controversial change in how X’s blocking function operates. Announced in September and now being rolled out, the change allows users who have been blocked to still view the public posts of the person who blocked them. While they cannot interact with the posts (liking, replying, or sharing them) this shift raises serious privacy and safety concerns. Previously, blocked users were unable to see any content from the account that blocked them.
Concerns Over Stalking and Harassment
The new blocking policy has sparked widespread criticism, as it potentially enables stalkers and trolls to view posts despite being blocked. Critics argue that this opens the door for harmful behavior online, making users vulnerable to harassment. While the blocked individuals can no longer interact directly, they can still take screenshots and use the content elsewhere. This raises concerns about user safety, especially for those who block others to protect themselves from harassment.
X claims the change promotes transparency, stating that blocked users may have had harmful or private information hidden from them. However, many users find this reasoning flawed, pointing out that the new policy seems to prioritize the rights of the blocked rather than those doing the blocking.
Mass Migration to Bluesky
Bluesky, which offers a more robust blocking system, quickly gained attention from discontented X users. As X’s controversial changes drive users to Bluesky, the rival platform reported a significant spike in new sign-ups. Following the announcement of X’s policy shift, Bluesky reported over 100,000 new sign-ups within 12 hours. The influx was so overwhelming that the platform’s servers crashed for several hours, as users struggled to create accounts and log in. Bluesky has since restored normal service, and the company revealed that it added half a million users in just one day.
Unlike X, Bluesky maintains a strict blocking policy. Blocked users cannot view any content from the accounts that block them. Additionally, Bluesky offers more customizable safety features, such as allowing users to subscribe to block lists curated by trusted individuals.
X’s New Privacy Policy Raises Further Concerns
As X’s controversial changes drive users to Bluesky, the decentralized platform experienced a temporary outage due to high demand. Adding to user frustrations, X also recently updated its privacy policy. According to reports, X will now allow third-party collaborators to use platform content to train AI models unless users actively opt-out. Previously, X limited AI training to its own system, Grok AI, but this update has expanded the reach of AI training on the platform.
This move has angered content creators, especially artists, who worry about their work being used without explicit consent. Many argue that the opt-out approach should instead be an opt-in process, giving users more control over their content.
Bluesky’s Rise and X’s Trouble
Elon Musk’s recent decision to alter the blocking function on X raises serious concerns about user safety, privacy, and the platform’s overall direction. The change has been widely criticized, with many users flocking to alternatives like Bluesky. The reasons for this backlash stem from both practical and ethical issues, which have caused a significant shift in user trust.
With Bluesky gaining traction and trending across social media, there are growing concerns about X’s future. As users continue to leave the platform, some have speculated that X’s new blocking policy could eventually lead to its removal from major app stores like Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
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