Bluesky Surges to 12 Million Users Amid Twitter's Turbulence

Bluesky a decentralized social platform has surpassed 12 million users marking its emergence as a significant competitor to Elon Musk's Twitter. The platform reported a remarkable influx of over 1 million new sign-ups within just 48 hours solidifying its position in the fast-evolving social media landscape.

The rapid growth of Bluesky can be largely attributed to recent changes at Twitter that have unsettled many users. Amidst a series of controversial decisions Musk has inadvertently encouraged users to seek alternatives to the traditional social media giant.

Twitter's Changes Drive Users to Seek Alternatives

One of the most significant alterations on Twitter's horizon is a revised privacy policy that permits third-party AI developers to utilize user data for training purposes. This move has raised serious concerns about data privacy and the transparency of user interactions on the platform. Furthermore Twitter's modification of its block function has diluted users' control over content visibility leading to sharp criticism for potentially increasing the risk of online harassment.

In addition the platform's shift in legal jurisdiction from California to the Northern District of Texas has sparked speculation and raised eyebrows among users. This change is perceived to align more closely with Musk's ideological stance further prompting users to reconsider their loyalty to the platform.

Capitalizing on the chaos within Twitter Bluesky has emphasized its user-centric policies and commitment to online safety. In response to the growing concerns around Twitter's policy changes Bluesky's official account reassured users that they can customize their online experiences and maintain control over their interactions a stark contrast to the evolving landscape at Twitter.

Server Strain Reflects Rapid Growth

The platform's explosive growth has been so significant that its servers struggled to cope with the surge in traffic. This influx of users has catapulted Bluesky into the spotlight of social media discussions and app rankings worldwide.

As Bluesky experiences unprecedented growth Twitter is facing its own challenges including financial setbacks. Since Musk's acquisition in 2022 the platform's value has plummeted to a fraction of its former worth. Advertisers have withdrawn due to concerns over brand safety and platform stability exacerbating Twitter's financial struggles.

This isn't the first instance of Bluesky benefiting from Twitter's tumultuous times. The platform previously witnessed a spike in user adoption during Twitter's controversies including bans in Brazil where Bluesky gained millions of new users in a week.

Bluesky's decentralized structure and emphasis on empowering users resonate with those seeking alternatives to traditional social media platforms especially as awareness of data exploitation and AI model training practices grows.

In a notable development earlier this year Jack Dorsey co-founder of Twitter stepped down from Bluesky's board. Dorsey has publicly criticized Musk's management of Twitter expressing disapproval of the decision to sell the platform to him.

Bluesky was initially announced by Dorsey in late 2019 with the goal of creating an open and decentralized standard for social media. However it wasn't until March 2023 that the platform entered beta testing and became publicly accessible on February 7 2024.