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From X to Ex: Linda Yaccarino’s Exit Signals Chaos at Musk’s Platform

July 10, 2025, 1:53 pm

Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has resigned just two years after taking over the role, becoming the latest high-profile executive to leave Elon Musk’s business empire. On July 9, Yaccarino posted on X, “After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of X.” Musk replied briefly, saying, “Thank you for your contributions.”

Though Yaccarino didn’t state a reason for her departure, her exit comes at a time of continued public controversies, falling advertiser confidence, and Musk’s dominating presence in company operations.

Yaccarino’s Background and Rise to Tech Leadership

Sixty-one-year-old Yaccarino began her career outside the tech world with an internship at NBC Universal. She then spent nearly two decades at Turner Broadcasting before returning to NBCU as chairperson of global advertising and partnerships, overseeing $100 billion in ad sales.

In May 2023, she abruptly resigned from NBCU and joined X. Musk had announced her appointment, stating, “@LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology.”

Leadership Amid Crises and Musk’s Shadow

Yaccarino’s tenure was marked by a difficult environment. She took charge when the platform was reeling from a sharp advertising decline and had to navigate several public controversies sparked by Musk himself. For instance, after Musk promoted antisemitic content, he told advertisers to “go f**k yourself” — a crisis Yaccarino was left to manage.

Despite being CEO, she had limited autonomy as Musk continued to shape the platform’s direction and statements. According to Emarketer’s Jasmine Enberg, “Being the CEO of X was always going to be a tough job… faced with a mercurial owner who never fully stepped away from the helm.”

Anne Marie Malecha from Dezenhall Resources added that Musk’s erratic leadership style “could have put Yaccarino in a very difficult position.”

Pride in Achievements Despite Difficulties

In her departure note, Yaccarino highlighted her accomplishments: “I’m incredibly proud of the X team — the historic business turnaround we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable.”

She praised initiatives like Community Notes, improvements in user safety (especially for children), and a renewed focus on advertiser trust. “Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with @xai,” she added, referencing the AI arm of the company.

Exit Follows Another Controversial Moment for X

Just a day before her resignation, Grok — the xAI chatbot integrated into X — drew backlash after making antisemitic comments. In one response, Grok suggested Adolf Hitler would be the best person to address “anti-white hatred,” reinforcing criticism that Musk’s platforms fail to moderate harmful content effectively.

This incident added to the ongoing scrutiny over Musk’s leadership and may have further influenced Yaccarino’s decision.

Impact on X’s Future

Yaccarino’s departure could have financial implications. Under her leadership, 65% of advertisers returned, and the company approached a “break-even” point. She played a key role in stabilizing the business amidst political and public image turbulence.

Now, as Musk launches a new political party and engages in a feud with US President Donald Trump, doubts are growing about his capacity to manage multiple ventures effectively.

Successor Not Yet Named, But Users Suggest MrBeast

So far, X has not announced a new CEO. Musk’s curt response gave no indication of future leadership plans. However, users on the platform floated an unusual suggestion — popular YouTuber MrBeast, who previously expressed interest in the role. In 2022, he asked Musk if he could be CEO, to which Musk had replied, “It’s not out of the question.”

Yaccarino’s departure closes a chapter defined by crisis management, brand repair, and operating under Musk’s looming shadow. Whether X can remain stable or even profitable without her leadership remains to be seen.

EU Investigates X Corporate Setup After Elon Musk’s xAI Merger

June 20, 2025, 2:35 am

The European Union (EU) on Thursday said it was asking for further details from Elon Musk’s X regarding adjustments to its corporate structure, months since the social media app was acquired by xAI in a $33 billion transaction. The acquisition had raised eyebrows in regulatory circles, especially due to concerns over transparency, platform governance, and potential overlaps between Musk’s various ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI.

“We are following closely changes in the corporate structure of X, as we would changes in any other designated platform,” a spokesperson for the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said. The Commission is tasked with enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at holding large online platforms accountable for user safety, transparency, and content moderation.

EU Eyes Possible Penalties Under the Digital Services Act

The spokesperson however did not verify an earlier statement from Bloomberg News that indicated regulators were considering potential fines on X under the Digital Services Act. The DSA, which came into full effect for designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) in 2023, has strict rules about algorithmic transparency, content moderation practices, and misleading design.

Prior to its summer break in August, the regulator might issue a fine against X for suspected violations of the DSA, although delays cannot be ruled out, Bloomberg said. These developments come amid broader EU scrutiny of digital platforms and a more assertive regulatory stance toward U.S.-based tech giants. Representatives for xAI and X did not have an immediate comment on Reuters’ request.

EU Penalties Loom for Potential DSA Breaches

Any company which is found in violation of the DSA will be liable to a fine of up to 6% of its worldwide turnover, while repeat violators could be barred from operating in Europe at all. Such penalties underscore the high stakes for companies operating under the EU’s digital rulebook. Last week, X emphasized a disclaimer on its blue checkmark in a bid to preempt a potential large fine from EU antitrust authorities.

DSA Concerns Over Paid Verification

The Commission made preliminary conclusions under the DSA in July last year that X broke rules on deceptive design, particularly by converting the blue checkmark into a paid verification, ascribing false credibility to users.

X had objected to the conclusion. The EU announced in December 2023 an investigation into X’s suspected violations of the DSA. The outcome could set a precedent for how digital platforms handle monetization features and user authenticity across the continent.

Big Announcement by Elon Musk on X Outage: “Working 24/7, Must Stay Super Focused”

May 24, 2025, 11:35 pm

After experiencing a series of global outages on his social media platform X, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that he has returned to his extreme work schedule. Musk posted on X that he is working 24/7 at his businesses to solve the problems and move forward with vital projects. “Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms,” Musk posted.

He stressed that his attention these days is primarily on X, Tesla, and Starship’s imminent launch, all of which are scheduled to release major technologies shortly.

The global outages on X resulted in widespread disruption on May 24, 2025, with more than 2,200 incidents reported at its height. Musk admitted the gravity of the issue, saying, “As seen in the ???? Uptime issues this week, significant operating upgrades need to be enacted. The failover redundancy should have operated, but did not.”

His admission reflects the pressure to improve platform stability and reliability in the face of increasing user expectations.

Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms.

I must be super focused on 𝕏/xAI and Tesla (plus Starship launch next week), as we have critical technologies rolling out.

As evidenced by the 𝕏 uptime issues this week, major operational…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 24, 2025

Changing Directions: Elon Musk Reduces Political Expenditure

At the same time, Musk has also made a significant cut in his political expenditures. Following his nearly $300 million expenditure for backing former US President Donald Trump and Republican Party candidates last year, it now seems that Musk is pulling back from political activism to focus on his entrepreneurial interests. Investors worry that his fragmented attention and political scandals have grown, particularly as Tesla saw protests and its first yearly sales drop.

Musk once headed the Department of Government Efficiency, to shrink government jobs and contracts. Still, his political leaning had an adverse reaction, impacting Tesla’s market performance. In a recent effort to ease investor concerns, Musk announced plans to minimize his time spent on the Dogecoin (DOGE) project to a day or two a week from May. This change marks a clearer business direction in troubled times.

Looking Ahead

As Musk rededicates himself to his businesses and addresses the technical hurdles at X, the next few weeks will challenge his capacity to rebuild user confidence and drive innovation. His commitment to core technology launches, such as Tesla’s electric cars and SpaceX’s Starship, remains at the heart of his business.

The future will demand operational excellence and strategic precision to rebuild investor confidence and steady his endeavors.

London Marathon Pulls Plug on X, Cites Negativity and Abuse

April 24, 2025, 3:05 pm

The London Marathon has formally backed out of Elon Musk’s social media platform X, previously Twitter, because of a hostile environment since Musk’s takeover. Event director Hugh Brasher said in January that the organization had withdrawn, although the account had a dedicated following of 190,000 users.

Brasher’s comments were in answer to a question about online abuse of British long-distance athlete Eilish McColgan. The 34-year-old Commonwealth gold medalist has recently complained about being ‘numb’ to the constant criticism of her physique on social media, following a video she posted showing her working out on a treadmill. She was cruelly told that she looked anorexic and like a “skeleton.

Her mother and trainer, Liz McColgan, the winner of the 1996 London Marathon publicly denounced the insults as ‘demeaning and abusive’.

Responding to the web abuse against McColgan, Brasher commented: “I think it’s abhorrent the abuse she’s had. How she’s stood up to that and how she’s responded is exemplary.”

He denounced the increasing vitriol on some platforms, saying: “But there are some social media platforms that are especially vitriolic and are sliding into a gutter. And because of that, London Marathon events have actually dropped off one of those platforms.”

Brasher subsequently confirmed he was talking about X, which Musk bought in 2022. “Just observing how that channel, the vitriol, it was no longer a rational discussion, it was no longer a nice place to be,” he said. “The London Marathon is positivity. It is a force for good and we didn’t feel that channel reflected those values and so we have dismounted from that channel.”

Details of the London Marathon

The 2025 London Marathon, to be held on Sunday, will have over 56,000 runners, and it could create a new record for the maximum number of finishers. The marathon should also raise millions for charity.

Independent of his normal routine, in an additional statement Brasher discussed the London Marathon’s stance on transgender athletes running in elite races following a UK Supreme Court ruling that defines a woman as being biologically female in British equalities legislation. He assured that trans women will remain barred from elite and championship female events but will remain open to the general race.

Calling the subject “complex,” Brasher stated officials will wait for more guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sport England before implementing further policy decisions.

X has been approached for comment.

Elon Musk Reacts to X Becoming No. 1 News App in India: ‘Cool’

April 21, 2025, 11:26 pm

Billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X (formerly Twitter) Elon Musk made waves on Monday after tweeting something cryptic that merely said “Cool” and included a hyperlink. The tweet, which contained no additional commentary or context, immediately went viral as people frantically tried to figure out the meaning and click the provided link.

Cool https://t.co/8UHRI0yqzv

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2025

As of Monday night, the post had garnered more than 30 million views, hundreds of thousands of likes, and thousands of retweets and comments. Musk is no new comer to mysterious posts and the occasional flash of internet-breaking analysis, but there was something especially striking about the brevity of this message and the furor it stirred up.

A Signature Elon Musk Move

This is not the first occasion that Elon Musk has shaken up the internet with a single-word tweet. Reckoned for his erratic social media activity, Musk has had a history of posting cryptic or tongue-in-cheek remarks that tend to take over news cycles. Ranging from tweeting “Dogecoin” to randomly posting memes that send cryptocurrencies or stocks soaring, his online presence often steers global conversation.

Monday’s tweet also followed a pattern. The short caption “Cool” and the link, which many identified as pointing to a nascent-stage tech demo on X’s new media-sharing feature, prompted fans and followers to speculate Musk was promoting a new virtual tool or innovation. Others guessed it could be about progress in AI or a peek at future X features.

Industry Watching Closely

Experts note that even the most terse of tweets from Musk can have reverberations in tech and finance. “Whenever Elon Musk tweets, people take notice sometimes markets do, too,” said social media strategist Daniel Weiss. “Even a single-word posting can mobilize millions of people, because it could suggest a new product, alliance, or philosophy.”

The enigmatic link’s content thought to be an online AI art tool fueled by Grok, X’s native AI assistant has only served to fuel the mystery.

Whether or not Musk’s “Cool” was an impromptu statement or a soft launch hype teaser, this much is sure: it has the world talking once more. In the era of info glut, few individuals can draw the world’s attention with just a single word. Elon Musk is still among them.

EU to Fine Elon Musk’s X Over $1 Billion | Details

April 4, 2025, 12:41 pm

The European Union is said to plan imposing significant penalties on Elon Musk’s social media site, X, for violating a crucial law aimed at fighting disinformation and illegal content online. The New York Times, citing four people who were familiar with the situation, reported that the penalties would be a sizable fine as well as calls for changes in some features of the site.

This would be the first enforcement action under the EU’s recently enacted Digital Services Act (DSA)—a broad law that makes digital platforms liable for their hosted content. The ultimate ruling is slated for release this summer.

A source explained to The Times that “the penalty could exceed $1 billion,” as EU regulators look to make a strong statement and discourage other technology platforms from disregarding the law. Negotiations continue on the final figure, particularly considering the geopolitical implications, such as continuing tensions with the previous U.S. President Donald Trump over trade, tariffs, and Ukraine.

The probe into X started in December 2023, after complaints that the platform had failed to act on illegal content and disinformation. The EU is looking into whether the platform used its algorithm to promote far-right content and amplify certain political voices.

In an initial judgment last year, the regulators held that X had breached the DSA, as per Reuters. The European Commission completed its preliminary investigation in January 2024 and is currently considering imposing a hefty fine. German publication Handelsblatt, quoting high-ranking EU officials, reported the financial sanctions may amount to millions of euros.

As part of its ongoing probe, the European Commission requested X to provide internal documents about its algorithmic “recommender system”—the process that selects and recommends content to users. The firm had until February 15 to do so.

A Commission spokesperson said the EU enforces its rules “equitably and without discrimination,” while maintaining international standards. They refused to provide individual comments about X.

In spite of mounting criticism, officials suggested that a settlement is still possible—if X commits to making significant changes to resolve the issues. The New York Times reported that unnamed EU officials said negotiations were still on the table.

At the same time, X is also subject to another, EU-wide investigation of its content moderation policies. Regulators are gathering evidence that implies X’s permissive policies have enabled harmful content—disinformation, hate speech, and other illicit material—to thrive and hence disrupt democratic processes within the EU’s 27 member states.

This enforcement move can ignite a court fight. Musk has repeatedly criticized EU regulations, once calling them censorship. On receiving the EU’s first report in July 2023, Musk indicated that he will take any penalties to court. Brussels officials are bracing for resistance, and the case can become fiery if X doesn’t alter.

The X case is being viewed as a make-or-break test of the DSA’s applicability and effectiveness. The law requires tech platforms to implement more robust moderation practices and enhance transparency. The act, however, has ignited heated controversy. In February, U.S. Senator JD Vance likened EU enforcement to “digital censorship.”

X has not made a formal statement on the investigation or possible fines.

X Sues Indian Government Over Alleged Censorship, Challenges IT Act

March 20, 2025, 4:47 pm

Elon Musk-owned X has moved to court against the Indian government, questioning its reliance on the Information Technology (IT) Act to censor content on the platform. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Karnataka High Court on Thursday, contends that the government is indulging in illegal content regulation and arbitrary censorship.

X Raises Questions About Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act

X’s legal appeal challenges the government’s reading of the IT Act, specifically its use of Section 79(3)(b). The micro-blogging site asserts that this provision is being abused to provide an alternative content-blocking mechanism outside the legal framework laid down under Section 69A of the Act.

Section 69A allows the government to order content removal for such reasons as national security, public order, or sovereignty. This provides an obvious legal directive for companies. Section 79(3)(b), according to the government’s reading, grants platforms the obligation to determine which content is illegal. X argues that this creates legal uncertainty, leading companies to self-censor to avoid lawsuits and public backlash.

X References Supreme Court’s Shreya Singhal Case

X’s grievance alleges that the government’s present course ignores the Supreme Court’s precedent in its 2015 landmark judgment in the Shreya Singhal case. The judgment had set out that content could only be blocked by a valid judicial procedure or by way of the legally ordained path of Section 69A. In availing of content take-downs under Section 79(3)(b), X alleges that the government is extending this precedent beyond its limits.

Impact on Social Media Companies

Social networking websites have long grumbled about Section 79(3)(b) due to its vague wording. It is alleged by businesses that it puts too much of an onus upon them to monitor and remove billions of messages daily, hence leading to over-censorship and chilling of free speech. The vagueness surrounding what constitutes “knowledge” of prohibited material makes websites vulnerable to prosecution.

Additionally, X has declined to be part of the government’s Sahyog portal, an initiative created by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The portal is used for direct coordination between law enforcement agencies and social media platforms for removal requests. X accuses the portal of being a “censorship tool,” coercing firms to delete content without legal scrutiny.

X Seeks Judicial Intervention

With its suit, X is hoping to clarify legal parameters on content control in India so as to block unwarranted interference by the government in what can be discussed on the web. The company firmly insists that take-downs must, therefore, happen through a clear, legal, and transparent procedure in order to safeguard freedom of expression and digital rights.

Trump Mocked for Playing ‘Babysitter’ to Elon Musk’s Son Again: ‘Officially Little X’s Nanny’

March 16, 2025, 2:50 pm

A viral clip featuring Elon Musk’s four-year-old son, X, eagerly bouncing alongside US President Donald Trump has ignited criticism online, with some users jokingly referring to Trump as the toddler’s “nanny.” In the clip, Trump is observed walking alongside the toddler as he happily bounces before Trump assists him in getting onto a Marine One plane, with Musk bringing up the rear. Once the video went viral, Musk reposted a picture of the moment, captioning it, “That’s a happy picture.”

The clip evoked a range of reactions on the internet. While some thought the moment was sweet and cute, others were taken aback by the US president appearing to ‘babysit’ Musk’s son at the White House. One of them said, “Lord Elon turned a USA president into a babysitter,” while another posted, “A car salesman has turned the President of the United States into a babysitter. America is not a real place, man.”

One Twitter user joked, “Trump finally got his first real job. Officially little x’s nanny. Elon Musk hired the US president to babysit.”

Trump finally got his first real job. Officially little x’s nanny. Elon Musk hired the US president to babysit. pic.twitter.com/pvugy1R1ym

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) March 15, 2025

Others asked how frequently Musk took his son to the White House, as the toddler had been spotted several times in the Oval Office and with Trump. “Does this kid live at the White House now?” one user asked.

Even Trump fans were uncomfortable with Musk’s son visiting the White House so often. “I love Trump, and little X is adorable as a bug, but this is like the third time this week that Trump appears to be babysitting. Where’s his mom?” another person joked, “It’s good Elon has Trump babysitting now. At least he’s keeping Trump occupied while he runs things.”

Musk’s son also appeared in the Oval Office last month as Trump signed an executive order proclaiming federal job reductions. His mother, musician Grimes, was surprised by the episode, which she wrote, “He shouldn’t be out in public like this. I did not notice it. Thank you for letting me know. But I’m happy he was courteous. Sigh.”

Elon Musk’s Social Platform X Experiences Global Outage for Many Users

March 10, 2025, 4:19 pm

Elon Musk-led social media platform X (formerly Twitter) faced a significant outage, affecting numerous users worldwide.

Many users reported difficulties in loading pages and refreshing timelines. As one user posted on X, “Twitter went down for an hour but seems to be okay now?” Another user, @huzy14w, commented, “Everyone going to X now Twitter is down.”

According to DownDetector, a platform that monitors global tech outages, at least 2,028 complaints about the disruption had been logged by 3:20 pm.

However, the services on X were restored shortly after the global outage.

Elon Musk Updates X Bio, Here’s What it Says

February 5, 2025, 3:34 pm

Elon Musk recently updated his X (formerly Twitter) profile bio to ‘White House Tech Support’. This is in the wake of growing criticism about the Department of Government Efficiency, a tech-focused task force led by Musk. DOGE has been criticized for its growing influence on federal policies as it works on modernizing and improving government operations using advanced technology.

Musk has caused a stir in the past with name changes and profile pictures. Last month, he changed his name to ‘Kekius Maximus’ and set ‘Pepe the Frog’ as his profile picture. In a bio, DOGE says it reportedly accessed Treasury’s sensitive data Thursday and has ‘taxpayer information’.

The issue was responded to by Musk. He said, “Hysterical reactions like this is how you know that @DOGE is doing work that really matters. This is the one shot the American people have to defeat BUREAUcracy, rule of the bureaucrats, and restore DEMOcracy, rule of the people. We’re never going to get another chance like this.” He then added, “It’s now or never. Your support is crucial to the success of the revolution of the people.

Working At Google: Employee Reveals The Pros And Cons

December 9, 2024, 10:14 am

For most, a job at Google represents career success, but a Bengaluru-based software engineer, going by the name of Striver, recently gavethe inside scoop on life at the tech giant. The software engineer shared his three-year experience at Google on social media platform X, pointing out both the pros and cons of working at Google.

The Advantages of Working at Google

Striver stresses the company’s great work-life balance, where you see the company taking great care of its employees from food, gyms to spas, trips, parties, and so on. “The quality of design and even the architecture is just spectacular once you dive into it,” he wrote.

HAVE A LOOK AT THE POST:

Completed 3 years at Google today ?

Pros and Cons ??

Pros ?

– Incredible WLB (Work-Life Balance): They take care of almost everything you can think of—food, gym, spa, trips, parties.

– The codebase: Once you dive into it, you’re in awe of the quality, design, and overall… pic.twitter.com/PlrAHmFavz

— Striver (@striver_79) December 6, 2024

He also appreciated the chance to work with talented people who make peers strive for excellence, which he described as “being surrounded by geniuses.” Another highlight was the impact of Google‘s work, which reaches millions or even billions worldwide.

Employees enjoy all sorts of benefits, from extra pay for being on call to spot bonuses for outstanding contributions, and internal tools that are highly advanced. Striver also mentioned that good documentation by Google makes it possible for employees to move around teams or even leave the company with no hassle.

Barriers to Google Employees

According to Striver, despite these significant benefits, there are disadvantages to working at Google. For instance, he states that large-scale operations with multiple layers of approval result in slow processes. Other limitations include limited personal growth because the teams work on pre-existing infrastructure rather than developing a new feature from scratch.

He also mentioned some issues with team-switching and promotions. According to him, work done in the previous team is usually not considered for promotions after transferring. This has created a vicious cycle where employees change teams soon after receiving a promotion, sometimes delaying career advancement.

ALSO READ: Swiggy CEO Calls Hustle Culture ‘Bulls**t’, Encourages for Work-Life Balance

Mixed Reactions Online

The post garnered over 1 lakh views and sparked a range of responses. One user questioned Striver about his motivation to work at a big tech company, to which he replied, “I’m pretty settled and have things aligned, so I don’t want to switch right now.”

Although there were users who agreed with his listed cons, others alsocame forward with alternative experiences. One of them mentioned, “Work done in a previous team isn‘t considered for promotions—that‘s not accurate,” citing an experience when all previous contributions were considered for promotion.

Striver concluded by acknowledging the tough journey over three years at Google, stating, “Here‘s to growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences. Only my body knows how tough it has been to work and be on social media simultaneously”

Why Users Are Fleeing Elon Musk’s X for Rival Bluesky?

November 18, 2024, 1:12 pm

Over the past week, hundreds of thousands of users have left Elon Musk’s X, with over a million joining Bluesky since the U.S. election results were announced. Many are fleeing X to escape increasing hate speech and misinformation, which have grown under Musk’s ownership.

The departure from X, formerly Twitter, has accelerated since Musk’s takeover, with many users feeling disillusioned by his alignment with former President Donald Trump. Musk, now heading the Department of Government Efficiency in Trump’s administration, has publicly stated that X must be politically neutral. However, his actions, including attending Trump rallies and appearing in family photos, have contradicted this stance. This has led to the perception that X is becoming a platform for alt-right views and hate speech.

Bluesky

Bluesky, a new social media platform, is gaining traction as a rival to X, with 16 million users, including one million joining in just 24 hours last week. Initially an internal project by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky focuses on providing an “open and decentralized standard for social media.” This contrasts with the centralized control of X under Musk.

What Makes Bluesky Attractive?

Users are flocking to Bluesky because it allows for greater content moderation. The platform lets users control the algorithm behind their feeds, creating custom feeds based on specific interests. Bluesky also lets users have website addresses as their handles, which could serve as a verification tool for public figures and journalists.

Some see this mass migration as the beginning of a new era for social media: decentralized networks, often referred to as the “Fediverse.” This system could allow different platforms to interconnect, similar to how Gmail can email any address or mobile networks can call across systems. Bluesky is built on such decentralized principles, offering a potential alternative to centralized platforms like X.

What’s Next for X?

As users continue to abandon X, predictions about its future range from total collapse to a potential shift away from Trump and his influence. Another concern is that X could become a testing ground for Musk’s xAI project, using user interactions to train AI models for his own benefit.

Kamala Harris Celebrates Diwali, Emphasizes The ‘Struggle Between Good And Evil’ In Viral Video | WATCH

November 1, 2024, 9:21 pm

US Vice President Kamala Harris shared her Diwali greetings on Thursday by posting a brief video showcasing her and others celebrating the Festival of Lights. In her tweet, she said, “Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights.”

Watch:

Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.

Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights! pic.twitter.com/VhgCkjeieg

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 31, 2024

A Close Presidential Race

Harris is currently engaged in a closely contested presidential election against former President Donald Trump. Just a few months ago, she took over for President Joe Biden in the race and has been working diligently to secure crucial votes nationwide against her Republican opponent.

Trump Addresses Violence in Bangladesh

Trump’s Diwali message on X was more elaborate, as he condemned the violence faced by Hindus amid the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh. He wrote, “I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength.”

Donald Trump’s tweet on X

Trump also stated that if he were to be re-elected, he would advocate for Hindus and work to strengthen the partnership between the US and India, as well as with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added, “Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before—and we will Make America Great Again.” He concluded his message with, “Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!”

As the nation prepares to vote on November 5, both presidential candidates are gearing up for the election that will determine the next president of the United States.

Musk’s X Evades Brazil Ban by Switching to Cloudflare IPs

September 19, 2024, 12:11 pm

Elon Musk’s social platform, X, has been banned in Brazil following a Supreme Court order by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who also mandated the freezing of the company’s assets in the country. Despite the ban, users have managed to access the platform via VPN. However, a recent update has enabled them to bypass the ban, according to Brazil’s internet providers’ association.

A CNBCTV18 report revealed that the ban resulted from a conflict of interest between Musk and a Supreme Court judge, tied to the blocking of certain accounts in the country. After the update, Brazilians noticed that the app was functioning normally, raising questions about whether the ban had been lifted. Meanwhile, X has announced the upcoming launch of X Payments in the US, securing licenses in 38 states, including Texas and California.

The Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications (ABRINT) explained that X modified its infrastructure to utilize IP addresses associated with Cloudflare, a provider that enhances security by filtering traffic. These changes made it difficult to block X, as its IP addresses were now shared with other legitimate services such as banks and major platforms, meaning blocking them could inadvertently disrupt essential services.

X clarified that these changes were temporary and helped them transition to new network providers. Despite this, the platform confirmed that it remains committed to working with the Brazilian government to restore services.

Supreme Court Justice de Moraes had initially blocked X due to Musk’s failure to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. Even so, X continued to trend as the most downloaded app in the country and was widely used by right-wing politicians.

VIDEO: PM Modi Joins Ganpati Puja at Chief Justice Chandrachud’s Home

September 12, 2024, 4:06 am

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in Ganesh Puja at the residence of Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister prayed to Lord Ganesh for blessings of happiness, prosperity, and excellent health.

Chief Justice Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, warmly welcomed the Prime Minister to their home. Modi shared his experience on X, saying, “Joined Ganesh Puja at the residence of CJI, Justice DY Chandrachud Ji. May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless us all with happiness, prosperity, and wonderful health.”

Here’s the video:

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi attended the Ganesh Puja celebrations at the residence of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/VqHsuobqh6

— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2024

Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, continues until Anantha Chaturdashi. Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi, this festival honors Ganesha as the deity of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Celebrations include elaborate decorations in homes and public pandals, vibrant processions, traditional rituals, and a festive atmosphere filled with prayers, music, and chants. Devotees both in India and abroad celebrate Lord Ganesha’s wisdom and intelligence with great enthusiasm.

Elon Musk vs. Brazil: Supreme Court Orders Social Media Platform X Shutdown; Imposes Fine for VPN Users

August 31, 2024, 4:40 am

The Brazilian Supreme Court has ordered the suspension of the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in Brazil after it failed to appoint a legal representative in the country. Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been in a dispute with X’s owner Elon Musk since April, mandated the “immediate, complete and total suspension of X’s operations” until the company complies with court orders, pays fines, and appoints a new legal representative in Brazil.

Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency was given 24 hours to enforce the decision, requiring more than 20,000 broadband internet providers in the country to block X. The agency’s president, Carlos Manuel Baigorri, mentioned that the order had already been passed on to these providers and expected full implementation over the weekend.

In addition to suspending X, Justice Moraes summoned Apple and Google to block the use of the X app on iOS and Android systems and to prevent the use of virtual private network (VPN) applications. A daily fine of R$50,000 (£6,800) has been imposed on individuals and companies attempting to use X via VPNs.

Elon Musk responded to the suspension by criticizing Brazil’s actions, calling the country’s government an “oppressive regime” that fears people learning the truth. The dispute initially began in April when Moraes ordered X to suspend several accounts for spreading disinformation, which Musk refused, labelling the order as censorship.

Despite Musk’s company Starlink, another business owned by Musk, having its local bank accounts frozen due to fines related to X, the service remains operational. Starlink has filed a request to the Supreme Court to lift the freeze on its bank accounts or limit it to the total fines against X. There has been no decision yet on this request.

Brazil Supreme Court Judge Threatens To Shut Down X Within 24 Hours

August 29, 2024, 12:01 pm

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge threatened to suspend X, formerly known as Twitter, if CEO Elon Musk fails to appoint a new legal representative for the platform’s operations in the country within 24 hours. The threat comes after Musk shut down X’s business operations in Brazil, while maintaining user access to the platform, following accusations that the judge was threatening the company’s previous legal representative.

In an order made public on Wednesday, Judge Alexandre de Moraes demanded that Musk “appoint the company’s new legal representative in Brazil within 24 hours.” The order warned that failure to comply would result in the suspension of the social network’s activities in Brazil.

Moraes, who has been leading the fight against disinformation in Brazil, has frequently clashed with Musk. Musk and other critics argue that Moraes is engaged in a broad crackdown on free speech. Musk justified the shutdown of X’s offices by saying that compliance with de Moraes’s orders would leave the company with no way to justify its actions “without being ashamed.”

Previously, Moraes had ordered the suspension of several Twitter accounts suspected of spreading disinformation, including those of supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who attempted to undermine confidence in the voting system after losing the 2022 presidential election. Despite these efforts, X admitted in April that some users of blocked accounts had managed to circumvent the restrictions.

Musk is also under judicial investigation for allegedly participating in a scheme that used public funds to orchestrate disinformation campaigns in favor of Bolsonaro and his allies.

Customer Service or ‘Customer Harassment?’: Journalist Neelesh Misra Blasts Airtel for Harassing Elderly Father

August 24, 2024, 3:44 am

Journalist and writer Neelesh Misra took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to criticize Airtel for persistently harassing his 86-year-old father over a phone bill for his late mother. Misra, based in Lucknow, revealed that despite his mother’s phone service being suspended immediately after her death last September, Airtel continues to call his father every few days demanding payment.

Dear @airtelindia for god’s sake stop harassing my 86-year-old father by calling him constantly to pay the phone bill of my mother who passed away last September (her phone service was suspended immediately).
Your last call was two days ago. He gets a call every second-third…

— Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) August 23, 2024

Misra expressed his frustration on X, urging Airtel to update their records to avoid further distress to his father. “Dear @airtelindia, stop harassing my 86-year-old father with constant calls about my late mother’s phone bill. Her service was suspended immediately after her passing,” Misra wrote. He added, “Your last call was two days ago. He receives calls every few days. Imagine the trauma of repeatedly explaining that his wife is no more. Why can’t your records be updated?”

In response to Misra’s post, Airtel apologized and confirmed that they had updated the account records to ensure no further calls would be made regarding the bill. “We understand how challenging this situation must be for you and your family, Neelesh. Please accept our sincere apologies. We are addressing the issue and working to improve your experience with us,” Airtel said.

The post garnered various reactions, with users commenting on the inefficiencies of customer service. One user, Kumar Gaurav, noted, “The lack of communication between their systems is why cancellations and updates take so long.” Another user, Sanwali Sharma, criticized customer service across companies, stating, “Customer service in India is a joke. It should be renamed customer harassment.”

X Shuts Down Operations in Brazil Over ‘Censorship Orders’ from Supreme Court

August 18, 2024, 12:17 am

Media platform X announced on Saturday that it would be closing its operations in Brazil “effective immediately,” citing what it referred to as “censorship orders” from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, claimed that Judge Moraes had secretly threatened one of its legal representatives in Brazil with arrest if X did not comply with legal orders to remove certain content from its platform.

The decision to close the ? office in Brazil was difficult, but, if we had agreed to @alexandre’s (illegal) secret censorship and private information handover demands, there was no way we could explain our actions without being ashamed.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2024

Despite the closure of its operations, the X service will remain accessible to users in Brazil, according to the company. This decision follows a series of legal confrontations between X and the Brazilian judiciary, particularly related to Judge Moraes’ orders to block specific accounts linked to “digital militias” accused of spreading fake news and hate speech during the administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Earlier this year, Alexandre de Moraes initiated an investigation into Elon Musk after Musk publicly stated that he would reactivate accounts on X that the judge had previously ordered blocked. Musk has criticized Moraes’ rulings, describing them as “unconstitutional.”

In response to the legal challenges, X initially resisted compliance but eventually reversed its stance. In April, representatives of X in Brazil informed the Supreme Court that “operational faults” had caused certain blocked users to remain active on the platform, after Moraes demanded an explanation for the platform’s alleged non-compliance with his rulings.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has not yet commented on the situation. The closure of X’s operations in Brazil marks a significant development in the ongoing tension between the platform and the Brazilian judiciary.

Donald Trump-Elon Musk Interview: Trump Breaks Promise That He Made After the Assassination-Attempt

August 13, 2024, 6:48 am

Donald Trump’s first public speech following the assassination attempt in July was at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he recounted the incident and promised he would discuss it only once. However, in his interview with Elon Musk, Trump broke that promise and provided a detailed account of the shooting in a lengthy conversation.

During the conversation, Trump described the incident as a “miracle,” saying, “If I hadn’t turned my head, I would not be talking to you right now, as much as I like you,” highlighting the gravity of the situation and his belief in the fortuitous nature of his survival.

Donald Trump has also announced plans to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, the town where an assassin targeted his outdoor rally last month.

“We’re going back to Butler, and we’re gonna go back in October. We’re all set up, and … the people are fantastic in Butler,” Trump said, expressing his commitment to visiting the town again despite the recent violence.

Donald Trump’s highly anticipated interview with Elon Musk on X was marred by major technical issues even before it began. The disruption forced Musk to limit the interview to a smaller audience, leaving many users unable to tune in.

This interview was seen as a crucial moment for Trump, especially as Vice President Kamala Harris has closed the gap in opinion polls and energized Democratic voters with recent rallies. The Trump campaign had billed the interview as the “interview of the century.”

Donald Trump-Elon Musk Interview: Trump Says ‘Didn’t Know I Had That Much Blood’ On Being Asked About the Assassination Attempt

August 13, 2024, 6:37 am

During the disrupted live conversation on X, Elon Musk began by asking Donald Trump to recount the assassination attempt against him that occurred last month. This topic was expected to be a significant part of their discussion, reflecting the gravity and impact of the event on Trump’s recent experiences.

“I didn’t know I had that much blood. The doctors later told me that the ear is a place, that is a very bloody place, if you’re going to get hit. But in this case, it was probably the best alternative you could even think about, because it went at the right angle,” Trump said.

In a preview posted on Sunday, Musk, who has an estimated net worth of $235 billion, described the interview as “unscripted with no limits on subject matter,” suggesting it would be highly entertaining.

Trump’s access to his Twitter account, @realDonaldTrump, was restored a month into Musk’s ownership of X after being suspended by the previous management following the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress by his supporters. Trump, who frequently posts on his Truth Social platform, shared a campaign video on X for the first time in over a year ahead of the interview. In the video, he portrayed himself as a victim of persecution by forces aiming to “destroy” the United States.

Musk, a prominent critic of the Democrats, endorsed Trump last month shortly after the Republican narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a rally.

Former Twitter Chief: Elon Musk Should Face Personal Legal Consequences for Inciting Public Disorder

August 13, 2024, 4:23 am

Elon Musk should face personal sanctions and potentially an arrest warrant if he continues to incite public disorder through his social media platform, according to Bruce Daisley, a former vice-president of Twitter. Daisley argues that tech executives like Musk should be held personally accountable for the impact of their platforms, rather than just facing corporate fines. He suggests that such personal risks could be more effective in curbing disruptive behaviour.

Daisley calls on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen online safety laws and evaluate whether the media regulator, Ofcom, is equipped to handle rapid changes in the digital landscape. He highlights recent unrest in the UK, including violent incidents linked to misinformation spread on social media, as a pressing issue.

Musk has faced criticism for his inflammatory comments, including a post suggesting that civil war in the UK is “inevitable” and sharing false information about Starmer. Daisley believes that direct legal consequences for Musk, such as an arrest warrant, could be a more effective deterrent than current measures.

Daisley also criticizes the current approach to online regulation, arguing that tech companies prioritize profit over principles of free speech. He advocates for more robust legislation to ensure tech billionaires are held accountable for the content their platforms allow.

Trump’s X Revival: Donald Trump’s Live ‘Unscripted’ Interview with Elon Musk | When & Where to Watch

August 13, 2024, 2:35 am

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is poised to make a notable return to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with a high-profile live interview with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. This event, scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (0000 GMT Tuesday), is set to be broadcast live on X, marking Trump’s first significant engagement on the platform since August 2023.

Details of the Live Interview

The interview, described by Musk as a “live conversation,” will be unscripted and cover a broad range of topics, offering an interactive element as Musk has invited users to submit their own questions. This format aims to create a dynamic and unpredictable dialogue.

Trump’s Return to X

Trump’s return to X comes after a year-long hiatus. His first post upon returning included a video reiterating his claims that the four criminal cases against him are politically motivated. Trump’s account, @realDonaldTrump, was reinstated after Musk acquired X, following a suspension imposed after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Despite launching Truth Social in February 2022, Trump’s posts there have not matched the reach of X, making this interview a significant opportunity to engage with a larger audience.

Potential Impact on the Election Campaign

The interview could be a pivotal moment for Trump’s campaign as he seeks to revitalize his support base and appeal to undecided voters. With Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris gaining momentum in polls, Trump needs a strong performance to bolster his campaign. This live conversation also presents a chance for him to reach beyond his traditional conservative supporters.

Technical Considerations

There are concerns about the technical aspects of the event, given that similar broadcasts on X have faced issues. To address these, Musk has announced plans for system scaling tests to ensure a smooth viewing experience.

How to Watch the Interview

The interview will be streamed live on Trump’s official X account, providing a direct link for millions of viewers. It is expected to attract significant attention from both Trump supporters and those interested in the broader implications of his conversation with Musk.

Additional Notes

– Pro-Trump advertisements have been reported on X leading up to the interview, though it is unclear if there is a coordinated ad campaign.

– Both X and the Trump campaign have yet to comment on these reports.

This interview represents a critical moment in Trump’s campaign strategy as the U.S. Presidential Election approaches, offering a platform to address key issues and reinforce his narrative.

Adil Hussain Finds It Hilarious That He Was Congratulated Instead of Turkey’s Olympic Shooter Yusuf Dikec

August 3, 2024, 1:02 am

Adil Hussain recently experienced a case of mistaken identity that left him quite entertained. He was mistakenly congratulated for winning a medal at the Paris Olympics, a feat actually achieved by Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec. Adil found the mix-up amusing and took it in stride.

The confusion began with a tweet that read, “Congratulations sir @_AdilHussain on winning silver at Olympics 2024 for Turkey. Respect.” The tweet included a picture of Adil and Yusuf, seemingly highlighting their resemblance. Adil, who was last seen in the film Ulajh with Janhvi Kapoor, found the situation more humorous than confusing.

Wish this was true… May be it’s not to late to start practicing… Since I have the attitude need to work on the skill set now..
? https://t.co/GS8iHQafCg

— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) August 2, 2024

Adil commented, “I don’t think the tweet was a mistake; it was clearly done in jest. I wasn’t shocked when I saw it.” He added, “Instead, I found it really funny and amusing.”

Taking the joke further, Adil posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Wish this was true… Maybe it’s not too late to start practicing… Since I have the attitude, I need to work on the skill set now.”

When asked if he saw any similarities between himself and Dikec, Adil joked that aside from their grey hair and glasses, there was no resemblance. He concluded, “The tweet was light-hearted, and I took it sportingly. It was really funny.”

A Match Made on ‘X’: Bengaluru Techie Finds Love of His Life Through His 2022 ‘X’ Post

July 18, 2024, 6:04 pm

Love often finds us when we least expect it, and the enchanting tale of Anshul and Divya is a testament to that. Their paths converged unexpectedly through a seemingly random post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) in 2022. What began as a casual exchange soon evolved into a heartwarming journey towards marriage, captivating the internet and leaving a lasting impression on all who followed their story.

It all started with Anshul, known on the platform as @SolitaryStudd, logging onto ‘X’ on an ordinary November day in 2022. With a touch of humor, he pondered aloud, “I’m 28 and still haven’t quite figured out the best sleeping position. Sometimes, I wonder if I should store my arms in the wardrobe before bed.” Little did he realize, this light-hearted tweet would become the catalyst for a beautiful connection.

Then came Divya, whose handle is @divyaathedivaaa, who randomly stumbled upon Anshul’s tweet and couldn’t resist chiming in with a playful response, “Lol, find a nice girlfriend. You’ll figure it out.” In that moment of playful banter, neither Anshul nor Divya could have anticipated that their exchange would bloom into something far more profound—a deep and enduring love.

Fast forward to the present day in 2024, and Anshul made a surprise announcement that melted hearts across the internet: “Divya and I are no longer dating,” he shared, cleverly echoing Divya’s 2022 suggestion. “Lol, I found her and made her (read you) my nice wife.” The internet couldn’t help but swoon over their romance.

Coincidence? I think not! pic.twitter.com/pfoDCVnltP

— HITLER'S NIGGGA (@SChaulkar1903) July 17, 2024

Divya, radiant in her bridal attire, shared a photo with the caption, “AND I GOT TO BE A BRIDE FINALLY!!”

Their love story quickly became a sensation on ‘X,’ with users gushing over the unexpected romance that blossomed from a simple tweet. “This wholesome side of Twitter >>>” wrote one user. “Taking notes to recreate,” another user remarked, while others eagerly awaited their own chance encounter sparked by a casual post.

Anshul and Divya’s story is a beautiful reminder that love can spark in the most unexpected places and turn into something extraordinary.

Anupam Mittal’s Take On Anant Ambani’s Wedding: ‘Should Have Broadcasted Live’

July 15, 2024, 1:57 pm

Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani’s younger son, Anant Ambani, married Radhika Merchant on July 12, marking a lavish affair that began with celebrations in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and concluded with the Mangal Utsav in Mumbai. The event captured widespread attention on social media, drawing in top celebrities across various industries. Anupam Mittal, a prominent judge on Shark Tank India, was among those who expressed their thoughts on the extravagant celebrations.

“Dulha bhi khud ka, @JioCinema bhi khud ka. Should have broadcast ‘The Shaadi’, would have rivaled IPL ratings,” Mittal posted on July 13. His remark sparked a flurry of reactions, with one commenter noting fatigue with displays of wealth, while another suggested potential revenue and audience expansion through a paid live stream on Jio Cinema.

Dulha bhi khud ka, @JioCinema bhi khud ka. Should have broadcast ‘The Shaadi’, would have rivalled IPL ratings?

— Anupam Mittal (@AnupamMittal) July 13, 2024

Anupam Mittal, judge of Shark Tank India, humorously remarked on the event’s scale, suggesting that broadcasting it could have rivaled IPL ratings. His comment sparked diverse reactions, with some expressing fatigue over extravagant displays of wealth and others proposing potential revenue from a paid live stream on Jio Cinema.

Which Global Leaders Have The Most Followers On X? Here’s The Top 5 List

July 14, 2024, 10:19 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached a significant milestone by amassing 100 million followers on the social media platform X, making him the most followed global leader on the site. Expressing his joy at this achievement, PM Modi shared a post on X: “A hundred million on @X! Happy to be on this vibrant medium and cherish the discussion, debate, insights, people’s blessings, constructive criticism, and more. Looking forward to an equally engaging time in the future as well.”

In the realm of global political figures on X, PM Modi stands out prominently. Former US President Barack Obama leads with 131.7 million followers, making him the only leader ahead of PM Modi. Following Modi is another former US President, Donald Trump, who has 87.4 million followers. Incumbent US President Joe Biden holds the fourth position with 38.1 million followers, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rounds out the top five with 21.5 million followers.

Here’s a quick look at the top five most followed political leaders on X:

Barack Obama: 131.7 million followers
Narendra Modi: 100 million followers
Donald Trump: 87.4 million followers
Joe Biden: 38.1 million followers
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: 21.5 million followers

Within India, PM Modi’s follower count significantly outpaces other political figures. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader, has 26.4 million followers. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal follows with 27.5 million, and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav has 19.9 million followers. Other notable Indian politicians include West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee with 7.4 million followers, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav with 6.3 million, his son Tejashwi Yadav with 5.2 million, and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar with 2.9 million followers.

PM Modi’s influence extends beyond X to other social media platforms as well. He boasts nearly 25 million subscribers on YouTube and over 91 million followers on Instagram, showcasing his widespread appeal and digital influence.

With this remarkable social media presence, PM Modi continues to solidify his status as one of the most influential global leaders online, engaging with millions worldwide through discussions, debates, and shared insights.

Why Did Microblogging Startup ‘Koo’ Shut Down Operations?

July 3, 2024, 4:36 pm

Homegrown startup Koo announced on Wednesday that it will cease its operations. Co-founders Aprameya Radhakrishna and Mayank Bidawatka revealed on LinkedIn that at its peak, Koo boasted a 10% like ratio, significantly higher than Twitter’s, and was “just months away from beating Twitter in India in 2022.”

At its zenith, Koo was the primary competitor to Twitter, which was rebranded as X after Elon Musk’s acquisition in 2022.

Reasons Behind Koo’s Closure

Koo attributed the decision to shut down to unsuccessful partnership negotiations.

“We explored partnerships with multiple larger internet companies, conglomerates and media houses but these talks didn’t yield the outcome we wanted. Most of them didn’t want to deal with user generated content and the wild nature of a social media company,” the co-founders stated on LinkedIn. They also mentioned that a couple of potential partners shifted their priorities just before finalizing deals.

Why Koo Sought Partnerships

Following the coronavirus pandemic, many tech firms experienced financial difficulties due to the funding winter from 2022 onwards, impacting Koo as well. During this period, the company laid off nearly 40 employees and warned of more layoffs in 2023 due to a capital crisis.

“A prolonged funding winter which hit us at our peak hurt our plans at the time and we had to tone down on our growth trajectory,” stated Radhakrishna and Bidawatka. They emphasized that social media companies require significant user growth before revenue generation can be considered, making it a challenging sector to succeed in even with ample resources.

Koo had the potential to expand internationally, creating a global brand from India. However, “The company needed 5-6 years of aggressive, long-term and patient capital to make this dream a reality,” they explained.

On the decision to wind down the company, the co-founders stated, “While we would have liked to keep the app running, the cost of technology services to keep a social media app running is high and we have had to take this tough decision.”

Koo’s Achievements

Koo developed a globally scalable product with superior systems, algorithms, and stakeholder-first philosophies in a fraction of the time it took X/Twitter.

The platform’s 10% like ratio was significantly higher than Twitter’s, making Koo more attractive for creators. At its peak, Koo had about 2.1 million daily active users, nearly 10 million monthly active users, and over 9000 VIPs, including many prominent figures from various fields.

“We were just months away from beating Twitter in India in 2022 and could have doubled down on that short-term goal with capital behind us,” the co-founders reiterated.

Reflecting on their journey, they stated, “It has been a long journey of over 4 years from thought to finish. The company has its highest highs and lowest lows while running Koo.”

They highlighted the need for patient, long-term capital to build ambitious, world-leading products from India, whether in social media, AI, space, EVs, or other futuristic sectors. Such ventures require significant investment, especially when competing with established global giants.

Koo’s Financial Struggles

Despite efforts to reduce its monthly cash burn to around Rs 10.2 crore in April 2023 from roughly Rs 16 crore in January 2023, Koo did not meet its target of Rs 6.5 crore by the end of March 2023, as reported by Moneycontrol.

The Tiger Global-backed company had raised $65 million from investors including Accel, 3one4 Capital, Naval Ravikant, Balaji Srinivasan, Kalaari Capital, and others.

Was X Down Today? US Users Experience Login Issues

July 2, 2024, 12:44 pm

Several users of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, experienced significant access issues on Monday evening. Reports flooded in as users struggled to access both the app and website, highlighting the perils of platform reliability.

The peak of the outage was recorded on DownDetector shortly before 6:30 p.m. EDT, with nearly 10,000 reports mainly citing login difficulties. The disruption, though short-lived, affected a considerable number of users across the United States.

One user shared their experience, stating, “Down for me from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in New York.” Another user questioned, “Did Twitter just go down briefly? Or was that just me?” while a third inquired, “Did X just go down for everyone?” Adding to the chorus of comments, a user noted, “And immediately after going down, it’s back up again.”

The outage spurred discussions about where users could turn for updates when X itself is inaccessible. One user humorously remarked, “I was just thinking, when FB or IG are down, we all come here to see what happened, but when ‘X’ is down, where can we go to find out? lol.”

Despite the swift restoration of services, X has not yet responded to the outage reports. The incident underscores the importance of platform reliability and the impact even brief outages can have on the user experience.