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Topics: Twitter, Social Media, Elon Musk
Aisha Nozari
Topics: Twitter, Social Media, Elon Musk
If new figures are anything to go by, social media users don’t seem particularly thrilled about Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.
It was announced last month that the world’s richest man had finally purchased Twitter, and since then ‘boycott’ has been the word on many people’s lips.
In fact, since word of Musk’s $44 billion (£38 billion) takeover spread, searches for ‘how to delete Twitter’ have surged by 500 percent.
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According to the MailOnline, security firm VPNOverview used Google Trends data to establish that between 24 October and 31 October, searches about deleting Twitter were up an eye-watering amount.
What’s more, searches for ‘boycott Twitter’ shot up 4,800 percent between 26 October and 2 November.
However, putting Twitter user’s minds at ease, Naj Ahmed - a privacy expert at VPNOverview - noted it’s ‘unlikely’ Musk will implement any immediate changes on the social media platform, insisting his takeover ‘doesn’t mean a whole lot right away’.
Ahmed said: “Twitter's not trying to revolutionise the way people communicate, or disrupt an existing industry, unlike most of Mr Musk's existing companies.”
He added: “This is quite different from most of Mr Musk's portfolio, as it's one of the few times that he's bought an established company that isn't trying to push the boundaries of what's possible.”
UNILAD has approached Twitter for comment.
But Musk hasn’t held back when it comes to discussing changes he wants to make at Twitter HQ and just days ago, he confirmed some people would start being charged on a monthly basis for blue tick verification.
The verification system is currently designed to help users identify authentic and influential users on the platform, including government figures, sports stars, entertainment figures, journalists and major brands and organisations.
Taking to Twitter to discuss his plans, Musk wrote: "Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is b******t.
"Power to the people! Blue for $8/month. Price adjusted by country proportionate to purchasing power parity.
"You will also get: Priority in replies, mentions & search, which is essential to defeat spam/scam, ability to post long video & audio, Half as many ads and paywall bypass for publishers willing to work with us."
Many celebrity Twitter users have already ditched the platform since learning of Musk’s takeover, with the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Josh Gad and Ken Olin bidding the social media network adieu.
When Musk’s desire to snap up Twitter was first made public in April, Jameela Jamil also announced she’d be leaving the site, tweeting: “Ah he got Twitter. I would like this to be my what lies here as my last tweet.”
However, it seems the star has since returned to the platform.
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