Twitter

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Twitter
Twitter logo.png
URL https://x.com
Commercial? No
Type of site Social network
Registration Required
Available in Multilingual
Owner Elon Musk
Launched 15 July 2006 (as Twitter)
Current status Active


X.com or X (formerly Twitter) is a social network acquired by Elon Musk and rebranded to its current name. The main feature remains the "tweets," public short messages of up to 280 characters (140 for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), while users can also "follow" each other and exchange private messages. It continues to be among the most popular social networks alongside Facebook and YouTube. Unlike other networks, X.com allows pornography to some extent, but, like its predecessors, it is accused of censoring certain opinions and worldviews.

History

Twitter was launched on 15 July 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. Over the years, the platform became one of the most popular social networking sites worldwide, known for its real-time discussion and dissemination of news.

In 2023, entrepreneur Elon Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X.com. The acquisition was followed by a series of changes to revitalize and align the platform with Musk's vision. The core functionality of tweeting and following other users remained but with a renewed focus on promoting open dialogue and minimizing censorship. The rebranding harkens back to Musk's early online payment company, X.com, which later became part of PayPal.

Despite the changes, X.com continues to face criticism for handling offensive content and misinformation, mirroring challenges faced by its predecessor, Twitter.

Post-acquisition

Following the acquisition by Elon Musk in 2023, X.com underwent significant changes. Musk aimed to revamp the platform to promote more open dialogue and reduce censorship, aligning with his vision of free and transparent communication. Some of the notable changes include:

  • Policy Revisions: The platform revised its content moderation policies to allow for broader discussions while still adhering to legal guidelines. These revisions were met with mixed reactions, as some users appreciated the increased freedom, while others were concerned about the potential for misuse.
  • Feature Updates: New features were introduced to enhance user interaction and engagement. The character limit for tweets was maintained at 280 characters, but additional tools for content sharing and discussion were integrated to foster a more interactive user experience.
  • Platform Monetization: Musk introduced new monetization strategies to enhance the platform's revenue generation while offering users more opportunities to earn from their content. These strategies include a subscription model and a tip jar feature for content creators.
  • Community Engagement: Efforts were made to boost community engagement through regular updates, user feedback channels, and partnerships with other tech firms. These initiatives aimed to rebuild trust and foster community among X.com users.
  • Transparency Initiatives: Under Musk's leadership, X.com launched several initiatives to increase transparency concerning content moderation decisions, data privacy, and platform operations. This includes more detailed reporting and establishing a public forum for discussing platform policies and user concerns.

The transition from Twitter to X.com represents a new chapter in the platform's history, reflecting Musk's ambition to create a more open and user-centric social networking experience.