UK users plot Twitter exodus as Musk's plans fuel revolt

The advertising boycott of Twitter might only be the tip of the iceberg, with the social media site now threatened by a mass exodus of UK users, disgruntled with new owner Elon Musk’s plans for his new $44bn (£38.1bn) toy.

That is according to a survey of 2,010 UK adults, conducted Fair Betting Sites, which quizzed users on their thoughts and actions on the site’s new owner.

It reveals that more than a third (34%) of Brits say they will stop using the app post-takeover, equating to 6.5 million users leaving the platform within the next year. Within that, 41% of 25- to 34-year-olds say they plan to abandon the site and 33% of Gen Z (16- to 24-year-olds) surveyed also affirmed their intention to stop using Twitter.

When it comes to the gender divide, more men (36%) than women (30%) say they are likely to cut ties.

Meanwhile, one of Musk’s biggest changes – the introduction of a £6.99 a month charge for the Twitter Blue Tick verification – has not exactly been welcomed with open arms either.

A whopping 85% of Brits say they won’t pay the fee for Twitter Blue even though it also allows them to edit tweets and upload videos in 1080p HD. The most adamant appear to be 45- to 54-year olds, 89% of whom have said they will not cough up.

Surprisingly, 43% of Brits surveyed said they will also stop using the app if there is increased censorship, such as Twitter’s suspension of far-right Brazilian politicians and even more (49%) say they are very unlikely to download Vine if Elon Musk reintroduced the social media app, following its discontinuation in 2017.

Fair Betting Sites data analyst Liam Solomon commented: “The wave of people quitting Twitter has largely been due to Musk’s takeover and how divisive he is as a CEO. Musk has told staff they must commit to a new ‘hardcore’ Twitter or he will fire them and has already dismissed multiple employees who questioned his strategy on the app.

“Negativity surrounding the social media tool has hit breaking point for key demographics.”