Elon Musk Sets Sights On Building His Own Social Media Platform
By Mikelle Leow, 27 Mar 2022
Photo 80189983 © Joe Duffy | Dreamstime.com
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is “giving serious thought” to the idea of launching what looks to be the anti-Twitter, as he says the social network does not abide by the “free speech principle.”
On Twitter, Musk started a poll asking followers if they thought the platform “rigorously” supported free speech. This wasn’t a joke, he stressed—disclosing that “the consequences of this poll will be important” and that users should “please vote carefully.”
Over 70% voted that they felt Twitter was not an ideal place for open communication.
When asked if he would be filling in the gap for a social network built on an open-source algorithm, “one where free speech and adhering to free speech is given top priority,” the Tesla boss said he was “giving serious thought to this.”
“Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy,” Musk noted.
If anything, this social network that Musk is considering won’t even be remotely like TikTok, as he said the app “feels like an obvious AI attack.”
“I prefer to be attacked by AI with subtlety—maybe a rose, some candles, wine, Barry White, witty banter, that sort of thing,” he shared.
Is a new platform needed?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2022
Am giving serious thought to this
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 27, 2022
[via Bloomberg and Reuters, cover photo 80189983 © Joe Duffy | Dreamstime.com]