The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) announced that it is stopping publishing content on the X platform. The withdrawal, which took effect on Thursday, is mainly attributed to the dramatic decline in the impact of publications, but also to deeper changes in the philosophy and operation of the platform.
In a post explaining the decision, Kenyatta Thomas noted that the organization once had impressive reach, with tens of millions of views each month. However, that picture has changed dramatically. According to the data she published, the EFF’s roughly 1,500 posts over the past year have garnered just 13 million views in total — a number that reflects a steep decline from the past.
The decline in reach and the change in algorithms
The decline in visibility is not an isolated phenomenon, but is part of a broader trend seen on the platform in recent years. As the EFF points out, a post today reaches less than 3% of the audience that a tweet could reach seven years ago.
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This raises serious questions about how X’s algorithms work, as well as whether the changes that have been implemented favor certain types of content over others. The reduction in organic reach has already led many organizations and content creators to reconsider their strategy, turning to alternative platforms.
From Twitter to X: The changes under Elon Musk
The turning point for the platform came in 2022, when Elon Musk acquired the then-Twitter and made extensive changes, both in terms of operations and policies. The EFF had taken a public stance at the time, proposing specific improvements, such as greater transparency in content moderation, enhanced security, and more control tools for users.
However, according to the organization, these expectations have not been met. On the contrary, it argues that the platform has moved in the opposite direction, resulting in the alienation of a large number of users and the gradual degradation of the experience.
User migration and new "players"
The EFF's departure is not an isolated one. It reflects a broader "migration" of users and organizations to new or emerging platforms. These include services like Bluesky and Mastodon, which emphasize decentralization and user control.
At the same time, more traditional networks such as LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube continue to be key communication channels, offering greater stability and predictability in reach.
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Digital rights and freedom of speech in the spotlight
Beyond the statistical data, the EFF's decision also has a strong symbolic character. As one of the most important organizations defending digital privacy and freedom of expression, its stance acts as a sign of distrust towards the current course of the platform.
The debate over the limits of free speech, content management, and platform accountability is more intense than ever. The decisions of companies and organizations like the EFF could impact how the digital ecosystem is shaped in the years to come.
The future of social media is being reshaped
Leaving X does not mean silence for the EFF. On the contrary, the organization makes it clear that it will continue to publish content and intervene publicly through other platforms, maintaining an active role in the debate around digital rights.
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The question that arises is whether this move is an isolated choice or a harbinger of a larger change. As users seek more transparent, safe, and trustworthy environments, the social media landscape appears to be entering a new, more fragmented era, where trust will be the primary currency.
