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A growing number of Reddit communities are taking action to limit access to Twitter (X), following Elon Musk’s controversial remarks at a Trump inaugural event last week. This trend has gained momentum across major subreddits, including r/Formula1, which is Trials period banning all X content while allowing limited exceptions for screenshots from teams and drivers.
The moderators of r/Formula1 cited concerns about login requirements, bot activity, and platforming paying users as the primary reasons for their decision. Despite its size, with over 4.8 million subscribers, the community’s influence could shape how Formula 1 news is distributed across platforms.
Simultaneously, other Reddit sports and gaming communities are also implementing bans. For example, r/LiverpoolFC received nearly 36,000 votes in a ban proposal, citing alignment with the club’s values, while r/destiny2 immediately banned X links but allowed screenshots to official gaming accounts on platforms like Bluesky.
The broader social media landscape is experiencing instability as companies face increasing regulatory pressure and user departures. Social media platform X is under scrutiny from Europe due to algorithmic concerns, while TikTok’s U.S. availability was temporarily halted following a Supreme Court ruling before resuming operations.
Meta has also faced criticism over its handling of Democratic Party-related content on Instagram and its decision to end third-party fact-checking in the U.S., sparking a week-long boycott campaign led by R.E.M.’s frontman Michael Stipe.
These developments highlight the potential transformation in how online communities engage with platforms, raising questions about the future of social media. While major platforms like Meta and X maintain significant user bases, their responses to criticism could be crucial. For now, Reddit’s communities are leading this movement, with over 100,000 active subreddits and nearly 97 million daily active users, potentially shaping the industry’s future.
Platforms appear confident in their strategies, though time will reveal outcomes as these changes unfold. The volatile nature of the social media landscape suggests that user retention and platform integrity will continue to be key challenges for years to come.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/esatdedezade/2025/01/22/x-ban-spreads-across-reddit-as-communities-react-to-musks-gesture