Thread by @xDaily

NEWS: Highlights from Elon’s keynote at @VivaTech in Paris!

The talk began on a self-depreciating note.

Elon: "If I'm so smart why did I pay so much for Twitter?"

🧵

@VivaTech Interviewer: What was wrong with Twitter before you decided to buy it?

Elon explained he’s been a heavy Twitter user for a long time, and he was “closely attuned” to how the platform was shifting.

He was concerned Twitter was having a negative effect on civilization.

@VivaTech Elon: Twitter was having a corrosive effect on civil society. We should do everything possible to move civilization in a positive direction, and he felt Twitter kept moving more and more in a negative direction.

Elon’s hope was to change that and have it be a positive force.

@VivaTech Elon: If you’re a regular Twitter user, most people would say their Twitter experience has improved.

He commented on reduction in CSA material and spam:

@VivaTech Elon confirmed that Twitter is working on shadowban transparency tools, so if your account is affected in any way by the Twitter system you will be able to see it clearly.

@VivaTech He also pointed to increasing user numbers:

@VivaTech Elon says he feels optimistic about Twitter’s future financially speaking, since almost all advertisers have either come back or said they will come back. He’s not aware of any advertisers who have ruled out returning.

@VivaTech Elon on bringing back his original vision for X from 24 years ago

@VivaTech Elon on censorship:

@VivaTech What is Twitter’s approach to harassment and bullying?

Elon: If you’re being harassed on the platform, obviously that’s a negative experience. This is where freedom of speech but not freedom of reach comes in.

“If you’re a jerk, your reach will drop”, Elon says.

@VivaTech Will Linda be able to manage Twitter?

Elon: “I think Linda’s great. She’s going to do amazing things for Twitter, and deeply understands advertisers’ concerns, and will do a great job addressing those concerns.”

@VivaTech A key point is allowing advertisers to choose what they want to advertise next to.

Elon says in some cases there will be content with no advertising because noone wants to advertise next to it.

@VivaTech On ad revenue sharing and limiting this to ad impressions from Verified users: Elon says this is to ensure that impressions from bots are not gaming the system. With Verified, you know it’s a real person and the views are authentic.

@VivaTech Watch the full thing - with timestamps on Youtube:

or the original exclusive Livestream here on Twitter:

twitter.com/i/events/16690…

@VivaTech Elon adds that user growth has been especially strong in North America - following developments like the DeSantis and RFK Spaces, and Tucker's show moving here.

Hopefully Twitter can build the same momentum in other major markets like e.g. Japan