Is Microsoft Replacing Elon Musk’s X with Bluesky Due to Toxic Rhetoric Concerns?

What You Need to Know

Recently, Microsoft announced that it has jumped on board with Bluesky, joining the likes of Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter) amid the introduction of some controversial terms and conditions by X. The tech giant from Redmond sees this as an opportunity to enhance connectivity in the digital realm, which ties in nicely with their values of inclusivity and empowerment. To kick things off, folks over at Windows Central, along with several of our team members, are also available on Bluesky, ready for you to follow.

Frank X. Chaw, the Chief Communication Officer at Microsoft, broke the news on LinkedIn, stating, “We want to be wherever our customers, partners, and even competitors are, engaging with them in spaces they consider home.” Microsoft believes Bluesky is not just another social network but a "connected digital ecosystem" that boosts user innovation and experience.

Bluesky’s decentralized structure strikes a chord with Microsoft’s philosophy. "It’s about giving users control over their digital journey," says Chaw. "You’re an active player, not just a spectator, shaping your digital universe. This platform is a new avenue for social interaction, and we’re thrilled to be a part of its growth and energy," he added.

The company further highlighted that Bluesky fosters an inclusive environment, aligning perfectly with Microsoft’s principles of inclusivity and empowerment. Currently, the platform is ad-free, but not ruling out the possibility of future advertisements. At present, the plan is to introduce a subscription service as a means to generate revenue and cover server costs. It remains unclear whether brands will have separate subscription tiers from regular users, but what’s known is that premium features like high-quality video uploads or customizable profiles could be included.

X’s Sinking Ship

Over recent months, X (formerly Twitter) has seen a significant number of users migrating to other platforms such as Bluesky, CounterSocial, Discord, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Reddit, and Threads. Since Elon Musk took control of the company in October 2022, X has undergone numerous changes.

After acquiring X and stepping in as CEO, Musk merged it into X Corp and shook up the top management, notably firing CEO Parag Agrawal. The platform then underwent significant rebranding with several features renamed and a shift away from bird-themed terms.

These changes have led to a wave of complaints from users about X’s deteriorated experience. Many have voiced concerns about the toxic content and have criticized the new terms, particularly the data use policy for AI training.

Moreover, several high-profile celebrities have announced their departure from X, influencing many of their followers to reconsider their presence on the platform. Users are increasingly moving toward alternatives that seem to offer a similar user experience to X.

Meanwhile, Meta’s Threads quickly attracted attention, amassing over 100 million users within a week of its launch. At that time, X faced backlash for imposing drastic measures, such as limiting users to view just 600 tweets per day.