Twitter

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Twitter[5], often referred to as a microblogging[2] platform, is a widely-used social media[4] network that was founded in San Francisco, California in March 2006. It was initially code-named ’twttr’ and spun off as a separate entity in April 2007. The platform enables users to post short messages, known as tweets, and share multimedia content like images and videos. It also offers features like direct messaging, video and audio calling, bookmarks, and lists. Twitter has faced several controversies, including allegations of enabling the spread of disinformation[1] and hate speech. However, it remains popular, with over 330 million active users[3] by 2019. In 2022, entrepreneur Elon Musk acquired Twitter and subsequently rebranded it to ‘X’ in 2023.

Terms definitions
1. disinformation. Disinformation is a complex concept with roots tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European language family. It refers to the intentional spreading of false or misleading information, often for political or social influence. This phenomenon became widespread in the 1980s and has been a subject of extensive research to understand its origins, methods, and impacts. Disinformation is often used in deception campaigns on social media and is distinct from misinformation and malinformation. It's common in political arenas, where it can confuse citizens and discourage their engagement. Disinformation has global implications, being used by governments, NGOs, and businesses worldwide. It can undermine election security and create societal divisions. Various countermeasures have been initiated by organizations like NATO and the EU to address this issue. The study of disinformation also extends to ethical considerations and its role in warfare. Despite these efforts, disinformation remains a challenging issue due to its widespread prevalence and the difficulty in assessing its true impact.
2. microblogging. Microblogging is a digital communication tool and a form of blogging that involves creating and sharing brief and frequent posts. The term was first coined as 'tumblelogs' in 2005 and it became a widely used term by 2006-2007. Microblogging platforms, such as Twitter and Tumblr, have transformed how information is consumed and shared. These platforms have empowered individuals to disseminate real-time news and information, acting as sensors or sources of information. However, they also raise concerns regarding privacy and security due to potential exposure of sensitive personal data. The global impact of microblogging is significant, with diverse platforms available worldwide and users embracing it for various purposes, from expressing creativity to marketing and crisis management. Despite some integration challenges, microblogging continues to evolve, impacting communication styles and social movements. Future trends suggest a shift towards more niche communities and privacy-focused services.
Twitter (Wikipedia)

X, commonly referred to by its former name Twitter, is a social media website based in the United States. With over 500 million users, it is one of the world's largest social networks and the fifth-most visited website in the world. Users can share text messages, images, and videos as "tweets". X also includes direct messaging, video and audio calling, bookmarks, lists and communities, and Spaces, a social audio feature. Users can vote on context added by approved users using the Community Notes feature.

X
Logo used since July 2023
X homepage visited while logged out in January 2024
FormerlyTwitter (2006-2023)
Type of site
Social networking service
Available inMultilingual
FoundedMarch 21, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-03-21), in San Francisco, California, U.S.
Area servedWorldwide, except blocking countries
Owner
Founder(s)
ChairmanElon Musk
CEOLinda Yaccarino
URLtwitter.com Edit this at Wikidata
RegistrationRequired
Users550 million MAU (September 2023)
LaunchedJuly 15, 2006; 17 years ago (2006-07-15)
Current statusActive
Native client(s) on
Written in

The service is owned by the American company X Corp., the successor of Twitter, Inc. Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams, and launched in July of that year. Twitter grew quickly, and by 2012, more than 100 million users produced 340 million tweets per day. Twitter, Inc., was based in San Francisco, California, and had more than 25 offices around the world. A signature characteristic of the service is that posts are required to be brief (originally 140 characters, later expanded to 280 in 2017). The majority of tweets are produced by a minority of users. In 2020, it was estimated that approximately 48 million accounts (15% of all accounts) were not genuine people.

In October 2022, billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter for US$44 billion, gaining control of the platform and becoming the chief executive officer (CEO). Since the acquisition, the platform has been criticized for enabling the increased spread of disinformation, hate speech (antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia) and child pornography on the platform. Linda Yaccarino succeeded Musk as CEO on June 5, 2023, with Musk remaining as the chairman and the chief technology officer. In July 2023, Musk announced that Twitter would be rebranded to X and that the bird logo, along with the Twitter name, would be retired. Although the service is now called X, the primary domain name 'twitter.com' remains in place as of April 2024, with the 'x.com' URL redirecting to that address. In December 2023, Fidelity estimated the value of the company to be down 71.5 percent from its purchase price.


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