European Central Bank joins Bluesky as Musk’s influence on X grows

The European Central Bank (ECB) has expanded its social media presence by joining Bluesky, a rival to Elon Musk’s X. A spokesperson stated that the move is part of a broader strategy to diversify communication channels following the adoption of other platforms last year. The ECB launched its Bluesky account by sharing an interview with chief economist Philip Lane, while confirming it will continue using X.

Musk, who has used X to promote political figures, recently endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party and has also backed Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His influence has raised concerns among EU regulators, particularly over misinformation and political bias. Critics have also highlighted his opposition to diversity and climate policies, which contrasts with the ECB’s commitment to gender equality and environmental sustainability under President Christine Lagarde.

Bluesky, founded as an alternative to X, has seen a surge in users following recent political events, adding 2.5 million accounts after Donald Trump’s election victory. However, with 27 million users, it remains smaller than Threads and X, which have 252 million and 317 million active users, respectively. EU regulators have also flagged Bluesky for failing to disclose key details about its user base within the bloc.