A recent court decision in Brazil to ban X, formerly known as Twitter, has led to a significant uptick in user activity for rival social media platforms, especially Bluesky.
Bluesky’s Rapid Rise in Popularity
On Friday, Bluesky announced it was experiencing “all-time highs for activity,” with 500,000 new users signing up in the past two days. This surge catapulted Bluesky to the number one spot on Brazil’s free iPhone app chart, surpassing Meta’s Threads, which came in at number two.
Bluesky’s CEO, Jay Graber, highlighted the app’s success on social media, stating, “Good job, Brazil, you made the right choice,” in response to Bluesky’s rapid growth.
A Small Player Makes Big Moves
This rapid expansion is particularly notable for Bluesky, a platform that only opened to the public in February of this year. Despite being relatively new and smaller than other social media giants like X and Threads, Bluesky has embraced its niche status, humorously referring to itself as “the short king of social apps.” The company reported having more than 6 million users as of May 2024, a considerable achievement given its recent launch.
From Twitter Initiative to Independent Platform
Bluesky was initially launched in 2019 as a project supported by Twitter, aiming to create an open, decentralized social protocol. Over time, it evolved into an independent public benefit corporation, distancing itself from its original benefactor.
Legal Troubles for X in Brazil
While Bluesky enjoys a growth spurt, X is embroiled in a contentious legal battle with Brazil’s Supreme Court. Justice Alexandre de Moraes has been pressuring X to block specific accounts accused of spreading election misinformation. X’s refusal to comply led to a standoff, culminating in X’s decision to cease operations in Brazil earlier this month. Moraes then warned that the company would face a ban if it did not appoint a legal representative in Brazil. The judge enforced the ban on Friday and even threatened fines for users who might attempt to circumvent the ban using a VPN.
A Shift in Social Media Dynamics in Brazil
As the ban on X loomed, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took X to bid farewell to his followers, directing them to his other social media platforms, starting with Bluesky. This move indicates a potential shift in social media engagement among Brazilian users as they explore alternatives to X after its ban.
