Billionaire Elon Musk is close to closing a deal to buy microblogging website Twitter. The Tesla founder is already Twitter’s largest shareholder (with a 9.1 percent stake) and has spoken out about what he doesn’t like about the platform.
In a series of tweets and polls over the years, Mr. Musk has asked his 83 million followers about changes in the way Twitter works. These posts also provide a glimpse into the mind of the world’s richest man who wants to change the way we use Twitter.
According to Reuters news agency, the company’s board is negotiating with Musk about its $43 billion takeover offer on the social media platform. DailyExpertNews and Bloomberg†
He first made the offer to buy Twitter on April 14, saying he’s willing to pay $54.20 a share to buy 100 percent of the company. Mr. Musk filed the offer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), tweeting it hours before being interviewed on Ted.
Here are the changes Musk is expected to push for on Twitter:
An Edit button: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk brought up the idea of an edit button in a Twitter poll on April 4. “Do you want an edit button?” he asked in his post. The words yes and no were misspelled.
Do you want an edit button?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) Apr 5, 2022
More than four million votes were cast, with a majority of users supporting the idea.
To open Twitter’s algorithm: In a March 24 tweet, Musk suggested that Twitter’s algorithm should be open-source. This was again in the form of a poll and 83 percent of the one million respondents said yes to the idea.
Twitter algorithm must be open source
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2022
He went on to say in a Ted Talk earlier this month that he thinks Twitter users should be able to see if their post has been downgraded or promoted so there’s no behind-the-scenes manipulation. He even suggested posting the code on Github so people can find bugs and suggest changes.
Tackling cryptocurrency scams: Mr. Musk’s account has been impersonated by scammers who have taken cryptocurrency in his name. There were reports in 2020 that his account was hacked.
This is annoying pic.twitter.com/KAkDl29CTX
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2022
In January, Mr. Musk complained that Twitter is spending tech on profile pictures showing non-replaceable tokens “while crypto scammers are throwing a spambot block party in every thread”.
“Twitter a de facto public city square”: Mr. Musk has also criticized the microblogging website about what content is allowed there and what isn’t. In another Twitter poll in March, he asked users, “Freedom of speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter strictly adheres to this principle?”
Freedom of expression is essential for a functioning democracy.
Do you believe that Twitter strictly adheres to this principle?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 25, 2022
More than 70 percent of users who took part in the poll said a resounding no and promoted Mr. Musk to ask if a new platform is needed.