Political Gain
Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has allowed him to wield an even greater degree of political influence than he had already achieved prior to the move. Musk has made no secret of his political ambitions, having previously courted controversy with bold, outspoken statements on various issues. He has used Twitter to share his opinions on government policy and to call out the behavior of politicians, who in the past have not been able to effectively respond. His acquisition of the social media platform now gives him an even greater platform to share his controversial views, while simultaneously limiting the ability of those who may disagree with him to respond.
Given that the majority of Musk’s political capital resides in the US, his acquisition of Twitter could also be a clever ploy to gain a traction in the global political arena. With recent events indicating that the US is becoming increasingly isolationist, Musk may be looking to use his already considerable wealth to acquire an audience in countries where the American president has less sway. Twitter therefore provides him with a platform from which to project his political views and capitalize on an international audience.
Economic Benefit
Musk’s purchase of Twitter has the potential to provide him with a substantial economic benefit in the future. As of April 2021, Musk was the world’s third-richest person, according to Forbes, with a net worth of $183.8 billion, making him the first person ever to amass a wealth of over $100 billion. By acquiring Twitter and expanding its capacity, Musk has now secured an even greater portion of the social media landscape. This could potentially mean that more people are exposed to his tweets and products, allowing him to generate a larger revenue from advertisement and sales.
Moreover, given that Twitter is free to use, allowing Musk to expand the platform could provide him with access to a larger user base, once again potentially increasing his profits. However, it is important to note that an increase in user base is not guaranteed, and may ultimately depend on Musk’s ability to optimize the platform, both in terms of marketing and technology.
Concerns From Others
Despite the potential benefits of Musk’s purchase of Twitter, some have raised concerns that it could lead to a situation in which one individual holds a disproportionate amount of influence over public discourse. Twitter, which is now the second-most popular social media platform after Facebook, is an influential tool of communication, with its most active users likely to have more of an influence in dictating public opinion than those who are less active.
In this respect, some commentators have argued that Musk’s acquisition of Twitter gives him a certain level of control over the public discourse in a way that has previously not been seen before. Those in opposition to this move have argued that it could lead to an increasingly biased public sphere, in which individuals with more money and political power are able to drown out the voices of those who are less privileged.
Political Bias
In addition to concerns over the effect on public discourse, Musk’s purchase of Twitter has also raised the specter of political bias. Since Twitter’s inception, it has been used as an important platform for political debate, with politicians using it to engage with their constituents and argue their respective positions. As such, some have argued that Musk’s acquisition of the platform could lead to a situation in which one particular political viewpoint is favored over others — to the detriment of the democratic process.
This concern is particularly salient when viewed in the context of recent developments in online censorship, where right-wing and conservative voices have frequently critiqued the censorship of their posts by big tech companies. With Musk now holding the majority stake in the second-largest social platform in the world, the fear is that he could use it to bring about a preferential form of censorship, from which only his political views benefit.
False Information
Finally, it should be noted that Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has led to concerns about the spread of false information. Since taking over the platform, he has often used it to propagate his own brand of misinformation, from baseless conspiracies to unsubstantiated ‘facts’. Although these have not been proven to be false, some have argued that the spread of inaccurate information could have severe consequences for public discourse. Indeed, if the public becomes overly reliant on a single source of information, it could lead to a situation in which the truth is being distorted and manipulated.
What is perhaps most concerning is that Musk’s statements are often widely accepted at face value, without any verification of their accuracy. As such, it is possible that individuals may be misled by the erroneous information found on the platform — a situation which could have damaging consequences for public discourse and debate.
Corruption and Conflicts of Interest
In addition to potential concerns over the spread of false information, another worry is that Musk’s acquisition of Twitter could lead to a situation in which there are conflicts of interest and corruption. For example, if Musk were to use the platform to promote companies in which he has investments, it could lead to a situation in which individuals are misled into making decisions that are not in their best interests. Similarly, if Musk were to use the platform to endorse certain political causes, it could lead to a situation in which the public is being encouraged to support a particular party over another.
Moreover, such actions could lead to a situation in which individuals who are in a position of authority are taking advantage of their privileged position to line their own pockets. This could lead to an erosion of public trust in the political and economic systems, and could ultimately damage the integrity of democratic institutions.
Disparity of Outreach
The final concern is that Musk’s acquisition of Twitter could lead to a disparity of outreach. While some smaller players may be afforded the chance to gain a larger share of the platform’s user base, the primary benefit is likely to go to those with the most money and political power – i.e. those who are already in an advantaged position. This could be particularly detrimental in countries where access to the platform is limited due to the cost of data or competing interests, as it could further widen the gap between those with resources and those without.
In addition, a similar outcome could arise in terms of the opinions that are expressed on the platform. By virtue of Musk’s acquisition, individuals with pre-existing power could potentially be given an even greater platform to share their ideas, while those without such resources may find it harder to be heard. This could ultimately lead to an even more biased and unequal public sphere, where those with money and power are given the greatest voice.
Decreased Privacy and Trust
The final and perhaps most worrying concern regarding Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter is that it could lead to a situation in which privacy and trust are eroded. Twitter is already a platform that has come under significant scrutiny for its handling of user data, and with Musk at the helm, this could potentially worsen. Although it is unclear exactly how Musk intends to use the platform, it is possible that he could use it as a means of collecting data — potentially for the purpose of influencing political or commercial outcomes.
Given Musk’s propensity for bold, controversial statements, it is possible that he could use the platform to intervene in debates or attempt to sway public opinion. If he were to use such tactics, this could erode the trust that users have in the platform, as well as lead to increased scrutiny of the platform’s handling of personal data. This could ultimately result in a situation in which individuals are reluctant to share their opinions on the platform, thus diminishing its influence as a tool of public engagement.
