The X/Twitter platform is no longer in the smell of holiness on the old continent. Since August 2024, 11 million European users have deserted the social network, according to the latest transparency report published under Digital Services Act (DSA). The number of users in Europe has increased from 105 million to 94.8 million, a drop of 10.5 % in just six months.
2.5 million less French users
The most concerned countries are France, with 2.7 million less accounts, Poland (1.8 million) and Germany (1.3 million). Other smaller states, such as Lithuania or Luxembourg have seen their a quarter user base melt.
This rapid erosion arrives in a context to say the least tense between X and the European Union. Since the entry into force of the DSA, Brussels is closely monitored compliance with the obligations related to the moderation of the content. The European Commission opened a formal investigation in 2023 to determine whether the social network responds correctly to the reports of disinformation, hate speech and illegal content. In July, the network had already been accused of rape the legislation, without any sanction being pronounced to date.
Since he bought Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk has profoundly changed the rules of the game. Under his leadership, the network has abandoned part of his safeguards against abuses, while leaving more room for controversial figures and ultra-core political currents. His interference in the elections in Europe, especially in Germany, his dubious positions to say the least, his role with Donald Trump … The image of Twitter has deteriorated enormously with many users in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Result: a climate of distrust sets up. Many personalities and public institutions have slammed the door, like the city of Paris, the novelist Stephen King, the University of Leeds or several daily newspapers.
The DSA report confirms a hybrid moderation, mixing human algorithms and moderators – the latter being 1,486 on a global scale, of which only 63 Francophones in the team dedicated to Europe.
In parallel, Elon Musk’s automotive subsidiary, Tesla, also encounters difficulties on the European market. Its sales fell by more than 50 % in January and February 2025, confirming a global shortness of breath of the Musk Empire on the old continent.
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