Several times in the past few months, many users have moved to alternatives like Threads or Bluesky due to controversial decisions or simply the increasingly toxic environment of X (formerly Twitter). A new “X-odus” has been noticed, especially since the election of Donald Trump as President of the USA.
Away from X: Bluesky storm users
In mid-November 2024, Bluesky was able to gain three million new users within one week and expand the total number of users to 16 million. However, this also led to some negative side effects.
Editorial suggestions
So Bluesky explained that as the number of users increased, so did the number of complaints. On November 15 alone, a brand new record was set with more than 42,000 complaints within 24 hours. Apparently, the platform, which previously presented itself as a friendly X option, is flooded with spam and scam content, trolls and the spread of child pornography.
A famous journalist warns against the Bluesky investor
There is more uncertainty now note by British investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr which revealed past links between Brexit platforms, Cambridge Analytica and Russian donors. Cadwalladr at Bluesky writes about a new investor in the platform.
What we mean is Blockchain Capital. The problem is not the company itself, but one of its co-founders. This is the crypto entrepreneur Brock Pierce who is said to be a close friend of right-wing extremist Steve Bannon. A problem, as Cadwalladr points out.
Among other things, Bannon supported Pierce’s 2020 election campaign when he ran as an independent candidate for US President. Pierce received only 0.03 percent of the vote.
Is Steve Bannon right on board?
Two years later, Pierce, with the support of Bannon, was trying to be elected to the Senate for the US state of Vermont. He is said to have given up on this venture, however, when it became clear that he would lose his status as a Puerto Rican citizen – and therefore have to pay taxes in the future.
Renowned journalist Cadwalladr also pointed out Pierce’s connections to Cambridge Analytica and conspiracy theorist and anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr., who is now the designated US Secretary of Health in Trump’s cabinet.
Bluesky denies Bannon’s possible influence
Only: The allegations standing on shaky ground. Because Bluesky has now confirmed that Blockchain Capital no longer has any ties to Pierce. In addition, the company is just one of many investors in Bluesky.
At least Blockchain Capital will be a lead investor in a Series A funding round in October 2024 calledwho is said to have deposited at least $15 million into Bluesky’s accounts. For many users, at least that’s what the comments on the network read, it’s a thorn that Bluesky is not a non-profit organization.
Bluesky addresses content challenges
A clear position and further educational work is probably needed. In any case, Bluesky is trying to get the problem described above with the rapid increase in unwanted content under control by expanding its moderation team.
According to his own statement, the network has to resort to so-called triage at the moment. This means: Delete particularly serious offenses and content in the long complaint queue first – and only then worry about the rest.