Elon Musk has ultimately accepted the idea of transforming X to resemble old-school methods. Twitter

Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022 included a promise to defy conventional norms. He swiftly took control of the platform, relocating hosting servers while they were still in use and eventually letting go of approximately 80% of the company’s employees. Musk and Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino presented Twitter’s rebranding to the public as a move toward a more comprehensive app that goes beyond social media to include messaging, banking, shopping, and other services.

However, 16 months later, several of the modifications Musk originally implemented have been undone or reversed, as the billionaire’s vision has been confronted by reality.

Several of these alterations are minor: In mid-2023, Musk deliberated on implementing dark mode as the default and only color scheme on X, before ultimately opting to abandon the idea. He has recently reinstated headlines to links shared on the platform, which is a reversal from a previous decision where he believed removing that information would enhance the app’s visual appeal.

Additional alterations have proven to be more substantial. In late January, prior to Yaccarino’s scheduled appearance before the U.S. Senate, the company revealed plans to recruit 100 content moderators for a new “Trust and Safety center of excellence” in Austin, Texas. A mere 100 employees were let go shortly after Musk acquired Twitter, resulting in the swift dismantling of entire content moderation teams. However, it is a beginning and a recognition that X is gradually resembling old-school Twitter more than Musk initially envisioned.

X did not promptly reply to a request for comment; however, former employees are not surprised by the reversal of some of Musk’s initial modifications. According to a former Twitter content moderation staffer who requested anonymity, there seems to be a method for running a service that even Elon Musk cannot avoid.

Market pressure and the threat of government regulation are driving factors behind the establishment of the Austin moderation hub, coinciding with Yaccarino’s appearance before elected officials. This situation underscores the disparity between Musk’s vision and the practical implementation of his objectives. The former staffer criticized his unconventional approach to innovation. This case study provides valuable insights into trust and safety, as well as broader online guidance.

Eliminating a significant portion of its content moderation team was a bold move by Musk, underscoring the critical role of a trust and safety department. “Through Twitter, Elon Musk eliminated all that and demonstrated the consequences,” the ex-employee stated. This clearly demonstrates the essential components for ensuring a service is user-friendly and secure.

According to a former employee of Musk who requested anonymity, hiring staff for the Austin center will be another challenge for Musk. They claim that individuals in the trust and safety field would refuse to collaborate with him due to his actions towards Yoel Roth. In 2022, Twitter’s former head of trust and safety, Roth, resigned from the position. Shortly after, Musk made a false claim that Roth had supported children accessing adult internet services in his PhD thesis. That incident may complicate efforts to reverse content moderation policies.

The former employee noted that individuals in trust and safety and moderation roles are known for their careful and contemplative nature, often dedicating significant time to analyzing the intricacies of a concept or problem. No highly regarded individual will choose to work for Musk. It would be detrimental to one’s career.