Moderation of Content and the Growth of Hate Speech
The drastic change in content control standards was one of the most noticeable and immediate effects of Musk’s takeover. The platform’s safety and trust teams were drastically reduced, and its advisory board was dissolved, all under the guise of unrestricted free expression. There was a noticeable rise in hate speech, false information, and offensive material as a result. According to studies from the University of California, Berkeley and reports from credible organizations like the Brookings Institution, there was a significant increase in the use of hateful content and derogatory language, including racial, homophobic, and transphobic slurs, right after the acquisition. This increase was frequently ascribed to fringe organizations feeling empowered and believing that the platform’s prior protections had been lifted.
Concerns over the platform’s dedication to thwarting damaging narratives were further heightened by Musk’s decision to restore previously banned accounts, including those of divisive celebrities. Critics retorted that it put divisive opinions ahead of the security and welfare of underprivileged communities, while supporters claimed it was an essential move for free speech. Many users felt uncomfortable and vulnerable as a result of the change from a more controlled, monitored environment to one with ostensibly less limitations, which undermined their confidence in Twitter as a secure and trustworthy platform for information and conversation.
The Effect on Employees and Exodus of Advertisers
The breakdown of trust was widespread throughout Twitter’s internal organization and wasn’t limited to its user base. By April 2023, Musk’s mass layoffs had reduced the company’s personnel from about 8,000 to 1,500, a reduction of over 80%. Critical departments including communications, engineering, and content moderation were all impacted by these severe layoffs. A demanding work atmosphere, public ultimatums, and the suddenness of these layoffs caused numerous resignations and demoralization. Workers who had spent years creating and maintaining the platform felt devalued and disposable, which further eroded institutional knowledge and internal trust.
Twitter’s financial health suffered greatly as a result of its disorganized management style and the alleged rise in offensive material. Many large advertisers drastically cut back on or stopped using their ads because they were concerned about their brands being linked to a platform that was becoming more and more seen as unstable or poisonous. Twitter was in a dangerous financial situation as a result of this revenue outflow, which had been the company’s main source of cash. The decline in advertisers was a direct result of the platform’s new leadership’s broken trust, which in turn mirrored a wider lack of faith in the platform’s stability and capacity to maintain brand safety standards.
Changes in Features and User Perception
A number of notable and frequently sudden changes to the platform’s functionality and fundamental identity have occurred during Musk’s tenure, going beyond content and internal operations. Most notably, many long-time users who had a deep affinity for the former brand were turned off by the rebranding from Twitter to X. Another controversial shift was the replacement of the prior merit-based system with paid verification. What was formerly a sign of legitimacy and authenticity turned into a commodity that could be purchased, which fueled a flood of fake accounts and further tainted the supply of reliable information. Because the blue checkmark now only denotes a subscription rather than authority, this move specifically damaged the platform’s reputation as a trustworthy source of news and information.
Confusion and annoyance were also expressed in response to other changes, including as the temporary restrictions placed on non-verified users’ tweet exposure and the move from “Home” to “For You” in algorithmic timelines. These adjustments frequently came off as capricious and appeared to put profit or individual goals ahead of user pleasure and accepted conventions. Users were extremely uneasy and contributed to a general feeling of mistrust because of the platform’s constant volatility and the impression that it was being operated by a single person with fluctuating priorities rather than a dependable corporate organization.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, which he intended to be a revival of free expression, has instead caused a major decline in trust on a number of levels. Many users feel uncomfortable and unheard as a result of the substantial changes in content regulation, which have led to an increase in hate speech. The platform’s financial viability has been severely harmed by the widespread layoffs and erratic management, which have also alienated staff and caused an advertising exodus. Additionally, users are confused and disengaged as a result of the random feature changes and the fundamental transformation of the platform’s identity. As the platform develops under its new leadership, restoring the lost trust will be a difficult and drawn-out process that calls for a clear commitment to user safety, open governance, and a steadfast vision that puts the platform’s integrity ahead of personal preferences.