The founder of Tesla and SpaceX shows his intentions to compete with Facebook or Instagram, which are betting on directing publications through algorithms.
Musk also launched a poll of his followers, reminding them that “freedom of expression is essential to a functioning democracy” and asking whether they felt that Twitter adhered “rigorously” to this principle.
In this case, 82.7 percent of the 1,117,574 voters indicated yes, while 17.3 percent of them voted no.
On March 25, Musk also launched a poll of his followers, reminding them that “freedom of expression is essential to a functioning democracy” and asking whether they felt that Twitter adhered “rigorously” to this principle.
After proceeding with its publication, he indicated that “the consequences” of this poll would be “significant” and asked those interested to vote “carefully”, suggesting that it could have a visible result in the future.
As a result of the poll, in which 2,035,924 Twitter users participated, 70.4 percent voted no, while ‘yes’ only registered 29.6 percent of the votes.
For this reason, at the close of the poll, one day after its launch, Musk asked his followers whether a new platform that truly protects users’ rights was necessary.
Following the polls, and in response to a user’s question about whether he would consider creating a new social network, the executive stated that he is “seriously thinking” about it.
If this social network is created, Elon Musk would not be the first public figure to create an alternative to existing platforms such as Facebook or Instagram.
On the other hand, Musk was responding to a Twitter user’s question on whether he would consider building a social media platform consisting of an open source algorithm and prioritizing freedom of expression, and where propaganda would be minimal.
Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy.
What should be done? https://t.co/aPS9ycji37
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1507780749629730817
His tweet comes a day after he posted a poll on Twitter asking users whether they believed Twitter adhered to the principle of free speech, to which more than 70% voted “no.”
“The consequences of this poll will be significant. Please vote carefully,” he said on Friday.
Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy.
Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
Earlier this month, the SEC said it would not let Musk walk away from a 2018 settlement that requires his use of Twitter to be monitored by Tesla’s lawyers. Musk has opposed the subpoena, claiming it inhibits his freedom of speech.
Counterweight to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
If Musk decides to move forward with the creation of a new platform, he would join a growing portfolio of tech companies that are positioning themselves as advocates for free speech and hoping to appeal to users who feel their opinions are stifled on platforms such as Twitter, Meta Platform’s Facebook and Alphabet-owned Google’s YouTube.
None of these companies, such as Donald Trump’s Truth Social, Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler and video site Rumble, have so far come close to the reach and popularity of the mainstream platforms.
Expectations about Musk’s future actions
While Musk has been somewhat cryptic about his intentions for the social network, several users raised the possibility that this could point to the possible purchase of Twitter shares to gain a stake, or alternatively, that the tycoon might be behind plans to launch a new platform with a different set of values that he is more comfortable with.
The results of the survey resulted in more than 30,000 responses, most of which asked Musk to opt for one of the aforementioned options. However, several participants went a little further, and even went so far as to propose that the tycoon link the project to Dogecoin, a currency he has reiterated his support for on several occasions.
For example, we have the response of youtuber Steven Steele, who wrote: “One of the best things about Elon Musk, whether buying Twitter or starting his own platform, is that you know there would be a Dogecoin tip jar”. Upon this, Musk himself responded to the message showing his support with what was proposed.
One of the best things about Elon Musk either buying Twitter or starting his own platform is you know there would be a Dogecoin tip jar!
— Steven Steele (@MrStevenSteele) March 26, 2022
Musk and Dogecoin Will they be related in the future?
For enthusiasts it is not strange to think that a project of this type driven by Musk has some kind of link with Dogecoin, a currency with which the tycoon has a strong empathy and for which he has shown his support on social networks, something that has directly influenced its price at very specific moments.
In the past Musk made it clear that he feels especially fond of Dogecoin because he considers it the “people’s currency”:
“Many of the people I’ve talked to on the production lines at Tesla or building rockets at SpaceX have Doge. That’s why I decided to support Doge: it seemed to me to be the people’s crypto.”