Bluesky sees massive download spike in Brazil after X ban

Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform co-founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has experienced a remarkable surge in downloads following Brazil’s recent ban on X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to a report by Tech Crunch, the ban has propelled Bluesky to the top of the free app charts in Brazil, marking a significant shift in the social media landscape.

Bluesky tops app charts in Brazil

Brazil’s Supreme Court imposed the ban on X after a prolonged legal battle concerning the platform’s failure to address accounts spreading election disinformation.

This decision has led to an unprecedented migration of users to Bluesky, which has seen its app climb to the top of the iPhone app charts in Brazil.

Bluesky has responded to this surge with notable enthusiasm. In a post on its platform, the company announced that it had added one million new users within just three days of the ban.

The platform’s rapid growth is being attributed primarily to the influx of Brazilian users seeking an alternative to X.

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X banned in Brazil after legal clash

The ban on X came after a contentious legal dispute between Brazil’s Supreme Court and the platform’s owner, Elon Musk.

The conflict centered on X’s refusal to block certain accounts accused of disseminating election-related disinformation.

The court’s decision required X to either comply with local regulations or face severe consequences, including potential fines for users who circumvent the ban using VPNs.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been at the center of the dispute, ordered the suspension of X’s operations in Brazil following the platform’s failure to appoint a new legal representative before the court’s deadline.

This led to a dramatic closure of X’s office in Brazil and a stern warning to other tech companies to remove X from their app stores.

Surge highlights changing dynamics

Bluesky, which was originally a project backed by Twitter in 2019, officially opened to the public in February 2024.

Although it is still considered a minor player compared to established giants like X and Meta’s Threads, the recent influx of Brazilian users has provided Bluesky with a significant boost. Bluesky boasts over 7.6 million users globally.

The platform’s CEO, Jay Graber, expressed satisfaction with the recent growth, praising Brazilian users for their shift to Bluesky.

This migration highlights the evolving preferences in social media and underscores the impact of geopolitical and legal issues on digital platforms.

Court to decide on X’s future in Brazil

The Supreme Court of Brazil is scheduled to vote on Monday to determine whether to uphold the ruling that bans X. The vote will be conducted by the court’s two chambers, each consisting of five justices, excluding the chief justice.

Justice Moraes, a member of the first chamber, will be directly involved in reviewing the decision.

Elon Musk has criticized the ban, arguing that it undermines free speech. He contends that the decision by an unelected judge represents a threat to democratic principles.

In response to the ban, Musk’s company has ceased operations in Brazil, citing alleged threats and accusations of censorship.