The X/Twitter platform is no longer held in high esteem on the Old Continent. Since August 2024, 11 million European users have deserted the social network, according to the latest transparency report published under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The number of users in Europe has thus fallen from 105 million to 94.8 million, a drop of 10.5% in just six months.
2.5 million fewer French users
The countries most affected are France, with 2.7 million fewer accounts, Poland (1.8 million), and Germany (1.3 million). Other smaller states, such as Lithuania and Luxembourg, have seen their user base shrink by a quarter.
This rapid erosion comes amid a tense situation between X and the European Union. Since the DSA came into force, Brussels has been closely monitoring compliance with content moderation obligations. The European Commission opened a formal investigation in 2023 to determine whether the social network is responding appropriately to reports of disinformation, hate speech, and illegal content. In July, the network was already accused of violating the legislation, with no sanctions yet imposed.
Since acquiring Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk has profoundly changed the rules of the game. Under his leadership, the network has abandoned some of its safeguards against abuse, while making more room for controversial figures and ultraconservative political movements. Its interference in elections in Europe, particularly in Germany, its dubious positions, its role alongside Donald Trump... Twitter's image has deteriorated enormously among many users in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
The result: a climate of mistrust is setting in. Many public figures and institutions have slammed the door, such as the city of Paris, the novelist Stephen King, the University of Leeds, and several daily newspapers.
The DSA report confirms hybrid moderation, combining algorithms and human moderators—the latter numbering 1,486 worldwide, including only 63 French-speaking people in the team dedicated to Europe.
At the same time, Elon Musk's automotive subsidiary, Tesla, is also experiencing difficulties in the European market. Its sales fell by more than 50% in January and February 2025, confirming an overall decline in the Musk empire on the old continent.
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