Bluesky gained over 1 million new users in 48 hours as Elon Musk's policy changes at Twitter (X) drive users to decentralized alternatives.
Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has seen a dramatic surge in new user signups following recent policy changes at Twitter, now known as X. The platform reported gaining over 1 million new users within just 48 hours, marking significant growth in its user base, which surpassed 12 million this week. The surge in signups was largely attributed to a series of controversial moves by X’s owner, Elon Musk, including a privacy policy update that allows AI developers to train their models on user data and changes to the platform's blocking feature.
🚨#BREAKING: X, formerly known as Twitter announced a new feature where blocked users will soon be able to view public posts; however, they will still be restricted from interacting, such as liking, commenting, or sharing. pic.twitter.com/uxkY4RfWUT
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) October 16, 2024
The new privacy policy, set to take effect on November 15, raised concerns among users who fear that their data could be used without their explicit consent. The policy provides no clear option to opt out, further amplifying privacy concerns. Additionally, Musk announced a modification to the platform’s blocking feature, which will allow blocked users to continue viewing the content of users who have blocked them, though they will be restricted from interacting with the posts. This move sparked backlash from users, citing potential risks of harassment and stalking.
Bluesky capitalized on X’s controversial changes, positioning itself as a more user-centric alternative. “At Bluesky, we take online safety seriously,” the platform tweeted, emphasizing that its users retain full control over blocking and customization of their online experiences. This message resonated with users seeking greater autonomy and security, contributing to Bluesky’s record growth.
The influx of new users even caused Bluesky’s servers to temporarily crash due to the unexpected surge in traffic. The platform, which was initially seeded by Twitter’s former CEO Jack Dorsey, has continued to gain traction as a decentralized alternative to traditional social media platforms. Its user base now includes people from diverse regions, including a significant portion from Japan and the United States, where it has recently reached the top of app store charts.
Bluesky’s rise reflects growing discontent among social media users over data privacy and platform control, signaling a potential shift in the social media landscape. With decentralized platforms gaining momentum, Bluesky’s rapid growth may represent a broader trend of users moving away from traditional, centralized platforms in favor of greater autonomy and control over their digital experiences.
