Twitter users are discussing social media alternatives following the publication of a report claiming that Elon Musk is planning to cut 75 percent of staff after purchasing the platform.
Musk told potential investors that he plans to reduce Twitter's workforce from 7,500 current employees to around 2,000, according to a Thursday article from The Washington Post that cites documents and interviews obtained by the publication. The newspaper says that even if Musk's purchase falls through, Twitter is already planning to fire around 25 percent of the workforce next year and make significant cuts to company infrastructure.
The report prompted some to predict that the Tesla CEO's purported plans would destroy Twitter. Others said that the staff reductions, along with Musk's proposals to make the platform "free speech" friendly by changing moderation policies, would either "kill" the platform or make it less usable.
"Musk wants to turn twitter into a far right propaganda juggernaut, but what he'll most likely end up doing is just killing it," writer Noah Berlatsky tweeted.
Twitter users suggested alternatives for those who leave to platform following Musk's takeover, with already-popular apps like Instagram and older platforms being frequently mentioned.
"I'll be sad to watch Twitter collapse, it's my favorite social media network," tweeted user @TechAltar. "What do you think will replace it, if anything?
"I hate to say it, but maybe Instagram," responded @nabalazs. "It's like the close second most popular social media app. Even though its also ran by Facebook. The company we all told to shove it and deleted our Facebook accounts. Or discord makes a twitter like forum."
"I doubt there would be anything that would outright replace it. [Maybe] tumblr would become more popular again, since apparently they now allow [not safe for work] stuff again," tweeted @sevware, prompting thread originator @TechAltar to comment that such a move would be "interesting."
Mastodon, which is similar to Twitter but far less popular, was suggested by some. It differs from Twitter in that the platform uses open-source software and is decentralized, meaning that content can be controlled by users rather than the company.
"Can we make @joinmastodon work?" @alexhansford tweeted. "Feels like making Twitter open source after Elon buying it would be fitting!"
Forums like Reddit and social messaging platforms like Discord were also presented as alternatives, along with the business-based networking site LinkedIn.
"Probably Mastodon, Reddit, or Instagram," tweeted @logicalwillow1.
"If Elon buys Twitter for real should I start a discord for Twitter expats?" asked journalist Tricia Romano.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra tweeted that LinkedIn was a "great alternative to Twitter" if Musk "kills" the platform.
Musk was also urged to not make any changes to Twitter, with @charzuull tweeting, "I don't want it replaced. Leave it alone Mr.Musk!"
Other potential alternatives to Twitter include several platforms that are most often marketed to conservatives, such as Parler, Gettr and former President Donald Trump's Truth Social.
Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey is also developing the decentralized social media platform Bluesky, which promises users control over their own customizable social media algorithms.
Bluesky, which was founded when Dorsey was still Twitter CEO but is owned independently, announced earlier this week that it would soon be launching a closed beta version.
Newsweek reached out to Twitter for comment.