Why We’re Transitioning from X (Formerly Twitter) to BlueSky

At the Women’s Budget Group, our values are human rights, feminism and intersectionality. We also believe in the importance of diversity, pluralism and respect for different views, perspectives and experiences. Over many years, we have grown an audience of over 16,000 followers on X/Twitter including journalists, politicians, activists, academics, experts in the policy sector and the broader public. It has been an important platform for sharing our work and analysis and for engaging in discussions and learning from others.

However, like many others, we became increasingly concerned about the changes to the platform’s algorithms this year and particularly since Elon Musk took ownership. X has become a breeding ground for hate and polarisation, driven by algorithms mainly under his control. These changes have had tangible real-life consequences, such as the incitement of racial hatred that fueled far-right racist riots targeting Black, Asian, Muslim and migrant communities across the UK this past summer. Following this, the UK’s media and communications regulator Ofcom warned of an “increased risk” of sites like X being used to “provoke violence” and the Labour Government has pledged to strengthen the Online Safety Act.

Key safeguards that once helped maintain user safety – such as verified accounts, moderation policies, blocking features and the trust and safety team – have been systematically dismantled under Musk’s leadership. The increasing emphasis on pay-to-promote features through the ad revenue scheme alongside algorithmic changes have further marginalised progressive non-profit and advocacy organisations, making it harder for voices like ours to reach audiences organically. Instead, algorithms are pushing the content of those who can pay or align with Musk’s personal agenda, and as the Race Equality Foundation has pointed out, “racial abuse as an acceptable, even valuable, form of engagement.”

From now on, BlueSky will be the main channel for sharing updates about our latest research, responses to Government announcements and news stories, as well as events and resources. We will maintain our presence on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

If you’d like to join us and many other progressive think tanks and women’s organisations in moving away from X to BlueSky, we look forward to engaging with you there. Find us at @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social.