Bluesky Gains 1 Million New Users in Just 3 Days Amid X Ban in Brazil

Bluesky, a decentralized microblogging platform, has experienced a dramatic surge in users in Brazil following a ban on Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter). According to a post on X by Bluesky Social on September 1, the platform has gained one million new users in just three days.

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Bluesky Sees User Surge After Brazilian Supreme Court Suspends X Due to Compliance Issues

The surge in Bluesky’s user base comes in response to a suspension of X ordered by the Brazilian Supreme Court. On August 30, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes mandated the suspension of X in Brazil due to Musk’s refusal to appoint a legal representative for the platform, as required by Brazilian law. This decision was reportedly linked to X’s non-compliance with orders to remove accounts accused of spreading election disinformation.

Following the suspension, Bluesky reported a significant spike in traffic. A Bluesky developer noted that the platform was experiencing 15 times its usual daily peak traffic as Brazilian users flocked to the service.

Bluesky, which launched to the public in February 2024, is a decentralized social media platform established by Jay Graber and supported by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. As of September, Bluesky's user base has grown to over 7.6 million.

Read more: Elon Musk's Non-Compliance to Local Laws Sparks X Ban in Brazil, Over 22 Million Users Affected

The ban on X has sparked a legal and political confrontation between the platform and Brazilian authorities. On September 2, a panel of five Supreme Court justices upheld the ruling to suspend X, maintaining the ban in Brazil. The decision has been met with significant backlash from the crypto and tech communities, who are concerned about potential implications for social media freedom and regulatory practices in other countries.

Bluesky’s rapid growth in Brazil highlights the shifting dynamics in the social media landscape and the impact of regulatory decisions on user behaviour and platform popularity.