Antonio Manaytay Tech 11.02.2022 21:Nov PM EDT

Professionals, Celebrities Think of Leaving Twitter After Musk's Takeover: Here's Why

Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter has led some professionals and celebrities to think of leaving the social media network. But in hindsight, they can't just leave the platform for a variety of reasons.

Torn between these two choices, professionals like Timothy Caulfield, chair of Canada Research in Health and Law at Alberta University, are grappling for answers.

Response To The Takeover

What could be our response to the takeover? Caulfield asked this question after Musk took control of Twitter.

The answer, he said, is to stay on the platform until at least in the near future.

The danger is great that Twitter will become an echo chamber for lies and trash if sensible people and people with science-informed opinions leave the social media platform.

Celebrities, Too

Caulfield was among the many Twitterati who were overwhelmed by the thought of a Musk-owned Twitter.

Several celebrities had also considered abandoning the platform over fears of the unknown.

These groups of actors and artists said they don't want to see what Musk will do to Twitter.

On the cusp of the takeover, the billionaire, publicly known as a free speech absolutist, had already made his about "free speech" and how he will implement it without clashing with the European Union's regulations.

To be lenient on hate speech and lies in the name of free speech will only encourage more hate and lies, the users said.

Who's Who

Those who have aired their intention to abandon Twitter include Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Both had withdrawn their music from Spotify over disagreement with the company for allowing Joe Rogan to stream Covid misinformation on the platform.

Below is the list of at least eight celebrities and professionals who considered deactivating their Twitter account:

1. Sara Bareilles, known for her songs "Brave" and "King of Anything," hinted she will be seeing people on other platforms.

2. Tea Leoni. The 56-year-old actress wrote on Saturday, "I will be coming off Twitter today."

3. Toni Braxton said she was "shocked and appalled at some of the free speech." The R&B artist announced she will stay off Twitter, calling the platform under Musk an unsafe place for her.

4. Ken Olin is an actor and producer. He wrote on Twitter last week encouraging others to protect democracy.

5. Brian Koppelman told his followers on Twitter to find him on Instagram.

6. Shonda Rhimes said she would no longer hang around. The 52-year-old producer is not interested to see what Musk will do with Twitter.

7. Stephen King is an author. The 75-year-old had a debate with Musk on Tuesday over the fee to be collected for verified accounts.

8. Josh Gad. He hesitated to stay on Twitter or not.

Some Have to Stay

Twitter has become the common platform for public health officials, journalists, politicians, and academicians to stay connected and use the platform for the dissemination of public information.

Many the security officials, schools, and government agencies have grown their affinity to Twitter in informing the public.

For the health of everybody, Heidi Tworek, a professor at the University of British Columbia, said professionals have to stay.