Canadian MPs among social media users pivoting from X to Bluesky in the wake of U.S. vote
New Democrat MP Charlie Angus made a bold decision to leave X, formerly known as Twitter, due to what he describes as a “dismal, toxic hole of disinformation.” Angus, who had a significant following of 47,200 on X, expressed his concerns about the platform’s role in spreading misinformation and undermining democracy, particularly in light of the events surrounding the Trump election and Elon Musk’s involvement.
Seeking a more constructive and engaging social media experience, Angus decided to open an account on Bluesky, a platform that emerged from a research project at Twitter before Musk acquired the company and rebranded it as X. Despite initially expecting limited engagement, Angus has been pleasantly surprised by the positive response on Bluesky, where he has gained 4,700 followers in just a few days.
Angus is not alone in his decision to switch to Bluesky. Several other politicians, including NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, have also joined the platform in search of a viable alternative to X. The growing popularity of Bluesky has led to a significant increase in users, with more than 22 million accounts now registered on the platform.
While some politicians, such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, have not yet made the transition to Bluesky, others like Montreal and Laval mayors have already started using the platform. The shift to Bluesky reflects a larger trend of people seeking new online spaces that prioritize constructive discussion and limit the spread of misinformation.
Experts have raised concerns about X’s influence on elections, citing a recent study that suggested the platform altered its algorithm to amplify Republican voices during the U.S. election. With Musk’s significant following on X, there are fears that his partisan messaging could impact future elections, including in Canada. The move to Bluesky offers a potential solution to mitigate these concerns and create a more balanced online environment.
As politicians and users continue to navigate the evolving social media landscape, Bluesky represents a promising alternative that prioritizes open dialogue and engagement while reducing the toxicity and misinformation prevalent on other platforms. By embracing platforms like Bluesky, politicians and users alike can contribute to a more inclusive and constructive online community.
