Elon Musk Is ‘Seriously’ Considering Creating A New Social Media Company Based Around True Free Speech
The tech billionaire isn't happy with how Twitter picks and chooses which voices to allow and wants to let everyone have a say.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has revealed he is giving 'serious thought' to building a brand new social media platform.
Musk shared his thoughts on Twitter, after criticising the platform for not sticking to the principle of free speech.
"Given that Twitter serves as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy," Musk tweeted. "What should be done?"
He then asked his 79 million followers if they think a new platform is needed.
His Twitter musings come a day after he put out a poll on the platform, which asked his users if they thought the site actually promoted free speech.
"The consequences of this poll will be important. Please vote carefully," he said while posting the poll.
More than 70 per cent of respondents voted 'no'.
If the Space X founder does decide to green light his latest idea, Musk would join the swelling ranks of big wigs championing free speech while aiming to break away from the mainstream means of social media: Twitter, Meta, or YouTube.
Donald Trump's Truth Social, Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler, and video site Rumble have all been borne out of a perceived need for freedom of speech online.
However, none of them have come close to cracking the mainstream success of the big ones that millions use every day.
Trump decided to launch his own social media empire when he was banned from the likes of Facebook, Twitter and a raft of other sites following his comments after the 2020 US Election and for being accused of inciting the violence at the Capitol insurrection.
When he announced the idea in October last year, he said: "I created TRUTH Social and TMTG to stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech.
"We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favorite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable."
Twitter has Tweets, Instagram has Reels, Facebook has Stories and Truth Social has Truths, which will be the moniker used for when a user wants to post something.
Trump's statement added: "I am excited to send out my first TRUTH on TRUTH Social very soon.
"TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all. I'm excited to soon begin sharing my thoughts on TRUTH Social and to fight back against Big Tech. Everyone asks me why doesn't someone stand up to Big Tech? Well, we will be soon!"
Truth Social officially launched on February 21 this year.
Featured Image Credit: David Branson / Alamy Stock Photo. Pumkinpie / Alamy Stock Photo.Topics: elon musk, Free Speech, News, Social Media, Twitter
Rachel Lang