The recent decision by a Brazilian court to ban X, formerly known as Twitter, has inadvertently led to a surge in popularity for its competitors, particularly Bluesky. Bluesky, a microblogging platform that describes itself as the “short king of social apps,” has experienced a significant uptick in activity, with 500,000 new users joining in just two days. This growth is remarkable considering Bluesky only opened to the public in February and currently boasts over 6 million users as of May 2024.
Bluesky’s rise to prominence is a direct consequence of X’s legal battle with Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The dispute revolves around X’s refusal to block certain accounts as part of a broader crackdown on election disinformation. In response, X announced its decision to shut down operations in Brazil. Moraes warned the company that it would face a ban if it did not appoint a legal representative within the country, a threat he followed through on last Friday. Moraes has also threatened fines against users attempting to bypass the ban using a VPN.
As the ban on X approached, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appeared to bid farewell to his X followers by directing them to his other social media accounts, beginning with Bluesky. This endorsement from the President likely played a role in driving more users to Bluesky, further solidifying its position as a viable alternative.
The success of Bluesky can be attributed to its unique approach as an open and decentralized social protocol. Initially conceived as a Twitter-backed initiative in 2019, Bluesky has since become an independent public benefit corporation. Its emphasis on user autonomy and privacy has resonated with individuals seeking alternatives to traditional social media platforms.
Bluesky’s rise in popularity highlights the growing demand for decentralized social media platforms that prioritize user control and privacy. With the ban on X in Brazil, users are actively seeking alternatives, and Bluesky has emerged as a frontrunner. Its recent surge in activity and user growth position it as a formidable competitor in the social media landscape.
The situation in Brazil serves as a testament to the power of user choice and the potential impact of legal actions on the popularity and adoption of social media platforms. As users become more conscious of privacy concerns and centralized control, decentralized platforms like Bluesky are likely to continue gaining traction. The ban on X has inadvertently accelerated this trend and propelled Bluesky to new heights.