news.volyx.in

EFF is leaving X (eff.org)

1427 points by gregsadetsky · 97 days ago · 1316 comments on HN

Article summary

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is leaving the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) due to a significant decline in engagement, with their posts now receiving less than 3% of the views they had seven years ago. The EFF had been using the platform to advocate for digital rights, but feels that their message is no longer being heard. The organization will continue to maintain a presence on other social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The decision to leave X is attributed to the platform's changed algorithms and the departure of many users.

Main themes

  • Social media engagement
  • Digital rights advocacy
  • Platform algorithms
  • User migration
  • Online censorship

What commenters say

  • The EFF's decision to leave X is justified due to the platform's toxic environment and declining user base.
  • The organization's presence on other social media platforms is necessary to reach people who are still embedded in mainstream platforms and subject to corporate surveillance.
  • The EFF's engagement problem on X is not with the platform itself, but with the organization's own actions and loss of credibility.
  • The decision to leave X is ideological and not solely based on engagement metrics, as the EFF will continue to be present on other platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon.
  • Twitter never truly cared about user rights and was always prone to censorship, making the EFF's departure a necessary step.
  • The EFF's criticism of X's algorithms and moderation policies is valid, but the organization's own biases and agendas should also be considered.
  • The decline in engagement on X is not unique to the EFF and may be a result of broader changes in user behavior and platform algorithms.
  • The EFF's decision to leave X is a loss for the platform, as the organization's advocacy for digital rights was an important voice in the online community.