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Elon Musk seems to have pissed off some more people by apparently slowing down links to specific websites on the platform formerly known as Twitter, now referred to as X. Users have reported a consistent 5-second delay in loading certain high-profile sites, including The New York Times, Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and Substack.

Big tech billionaires fulfilling personal vendettas through a global platform seems quite dystopian

This isn’t just a random glitch. The delay appears to be targeted at websites that Musk has previously been at odds with. Musk’s sharp criticisms and public attacks against these companies have been in the public eye, and this recent action seems to further that vendetta. For this to be a coincidence would be a far reach.

Elon Musk

What’s puzzling is that there’s no clear explanation for this delay, aside from Musk’s personal issues with these platforms. New York Times and Substack have expressed concern over the deliberate delay, viewing it as a hostile act against them. Substack founders went on to criticize the action, reflecting on the unreliability of social media companies. The technicalities behind this delay remain unclear, and the move raises significant questions about the ethics of power over digital platforms. It paints a picture of an unpredictable online landscape where large corporations can manipulate user experience to settle personal scores.

The silence from X adds another layer to this development. It might lead one to wonder: in an age where social media platforms hold immense influence, should there be more accountability for those who control them? The answer may not be straightforward, but this situation serves as a stark reminder of complex power struggles.

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