A recent survey indicates that public trust in Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has sharply declined among Americans. Notably, major tech companies such as Amazon and TikTok have fared significantly better in terms of earning public confidence.
The data, collected by All About Cookies and shared by market research firm EMARKETER, reveal intriguing insights into public sentiment towards social media platforms and governmental institutions.
Survey Findings Reveal a Trust Divide
The survey results show a glaring disparity in trust towards various entities. Amazon emerged as the most trusted, with 70 percent of respondents expressing confidence in the company. Google and Netflix were close behind, with 65 percent and 64 percent respectively.
In stark contrast, TikTok garnered the trust of only 29 percent of respondents, but this still surpassed the trust in Elon Musk’s X, which stood at a mere 28 percent. Additionally, trust in the US government was equally low, also at 28 percent, indicating a significant public scepticism towards both institutions.
Factors Behind X’s Decline
X’s plummeting trust levels are attributed to multiple factors. Under Musk’s leadership, the platform has faced controversies, significant policy changes, and a surge in misinformation. A notable example is the mass layoffs that deeply affected the trust and safety team, reducing it from 230 employees to around 20.
These drastic changes have not only impacted the platform’s operational capacity but also its ability to effectively moderate content. The public’s perception has further deteriorated due to Musk’s responses to misinformation and controversial posts.
Community Notes and Misinformation Issues
In an attempt to combat misinformation, Musk introduced ‘Community Notes’ in 2022.
However, their effectiveness has been brought into question. A Bloomberg report analysed nearly 400 posts containing false information about the Israel-Gaza conflict, revealing that ‘Community Notes’ often took several hours to address inaccuracies, with some taking as long as 70 hours.
Such delays have exacerbated the public’s trust issues, with concerns that misinformation spreads unchecked for extended periods.
Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
Elon Musk’s X has also attracted regulatory scrutiny worldwide. In Brazil, the platform experienced a nationwide ban until compliance with stricter content moderation orders from the Supreme Court. This instance highlights the increasing regulatory challenges Musk’s platform faces globally.
Musk’s own actions on the platform further complicate the situation. His controversial posts have not only drawn public ire but also governmental attention, including investigations by the US Secret Service.
Leadership Controversies Impact Trust
Musk’s controversial leadership style has been another factor affecting trust in X. His comments, such as those questioning the safety of political leaders or amplifying antisemitic views, have sparked backlash and criticism from various quarters.
Musk even acknowledged his lack of understanding of antisemitism at a conference, yet such admissions do little to mitigate the damage caused by his initial remarks. These leadership controversies continue to tarnish the platform’s reputation.
Public Concerns Over Privacy
Another significant issue impacting trust in social media platforms, including X, is user privacy.
US officials have raised concerns about data privacy on platforms like TikTok, which faced a potential nationwide ban unless divested to an American entity. Despite TikTok’s precarious position, it still ranks higher in public trust compared to X.
Impact of Policy Changes
The sweeping policy changes implemented by Musk since his acquisition of Twitter have drastically affected the platform’s standing.
With mass layoffs and shifting moderation policies, the platform’s ability to secure user trust has been compromised. Regulatory and public backlash only further compound these issues.
The survey underscores a significant trust disparity among major tech platforms and the US government. Notably, Amazon and Google have established themselves as highly trusted entities, whereas X and the US government lag considerably behind.
Elon Musk’s leadership style, policy changes, and controversies have significantly impacted public perception of X, suggesting a challenging road ahead for the platform to regain user trust.
