Following Musk’s takeover, hate speech on X reportedly increased by 50%, raising concerns about the social media platforms’ capacity to spread harmful information. Since Elon Musk acquired X, formerly Twitter, in October 2022, the platform has undergone significant changes, including debates over free speech content control.
As one of his first acts as a new owner, Musk relaxed content control guidelines in the spirit of free expression. He also toured several previously blocked accounts, including those of divisive individuals who were known to spread hate speech and false information. Additionally, Musk cut a large number of Twitter moderators, making it more difficult to enforce platforms. Racist, antisemitic, and other hateful content instantly proliferated as a result of the current common guidelines.
Studies conducted after his acquisition by organizations such as the Center for Countering Digital Hatred (CCDH) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) revealed a sharp rise in hate speech. For example, in the first week alone, the use of racist slurs, including Gadiri remarks, increased by 200%, and harmful language became more common. Additionally, hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community also increased dramatically, and conspiracy theories and extremist content gained popularity.
Finding a balance between responsible moderation and free speech remains a major concern as the act develops under Musk’s direction and the platform runs the risk of becoming a haven for hate speech and false information if stricter regulations are not put in place. Musk has denied allegations of arising in each speech, claiming that users’ activity and engagement are at an all-time high. He also revealed that community notes affect users of checking tools and that X was trying to listen to harmful content through user-driven moderation rather than traditional enforcement.
