X, formerly known as Twitter, was long considered a favorite platform among celebrities, politicians, and a significant portion of the global digital community.
The platform revolutionized communication by enabling users worldwide to connect through short messages with broad reach—ideal for sharing news and opinions.
However, since Elon Musk, the Tesla tycoon, acquired Twitter and named it X, the platform has been mired in controversy. Musk had promised to enhance freedom of expression and modernize the platform, but two years later, X has become increasingly polarized, rife with fake news and manipulation. This shift has driven many users to explore alternatives such as Bluesky, a rising competitor aiming to challenge X’s dominance.
Celebrities Flee X: A Rebellion Against the Algorithm
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, numerous media outlets and public figures have announced their departure from the platform. Many accused Musk of using X to amplify the Republican’s rhetoric at the expense of his Democratic opponent.
Read also: Elon Musk Reaps Benefits from Trump’s Election Victory: Here’s How
Notable publications, including The Guardian in the UK and La Vanguardia in Spain, recently declared they would no longer update their profiles on X.
Here are the celebrities who have left the platform:
1. Stephen King
2. Barbra Streisand
3. Jamie Lee Curtis
4. Bette Midler
5. Whoopi Goldberg
.@WhoopiGoldberg says on #TheView that “as of tonight,” she’s “done with Twitter.”
“I’m going to get out, and if it settles down and I feel more comfortable, maybe I’ll come back.” https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/0Ih9fp9yHG
— The View (@TheView) November 7, 2022
6. Lizzo
7. Elton John
8. Jim Carrey
9. Don Lemon
10. Ben Stiller
11. Guillermo del Toro
Most of these public figures have transitioned to Bluesky, a microblogging platform developed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter.
What Is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a social network focused on short-form content, offering a minimalist and user-friendly interface. Unlike X, Bluesky is decentralized, allowing users greater control over their data. Its developers are working on a proprietary protocol to enable individuals to create their own instances, ensuring resilience against censorship and manipulation.
Initially conceptualized as a project within Twitter, Bluesky continued independently after Musk’s acquisition and rebranding of Twitter as X. The platform’s design closely mirrors Twitter’s original interface, making it easy for users to transition seamlessly.
Key Features of Bluesky
- Decentralization: Users have more control over their data and enjoy increased resistance to censorship and manipulation.
- User Interaction: Features include posting, liking, sharing, quoting, and responding to others’ content.
- Chronological Feed: The platform offers a chronological feed, reminiscent of early Twitter.
How to Join Bluesky
Creating an account is simple: Visit the Bluesky website and sign up with your email, phone number, date of birth, and other details.
Alternatively, download the Bluesky app from the Play Store or App Store to get started.
Bluesky’s rise signifies a shift in the social media landscape, offering an alternative for those seeking a fresh start in a space reminiscent of Twitter’s early days. Will you be joining the platform?
This article was originally written in Spanish by Daniel Matute in Cultura Colectiva