European Medicines Agency ditches X for Bluesky

NETHERLANDS – The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has decided to stop posting updates on X.com, formerly known as Twitter, and will instead move its communication efforts to the rapidly growing platform Bluesky.

The agency announced, “EMA will no longer post updates and content on X. We believe the X platform no longer suits our communication needs.” After careful consideration, it stated, “The Agency has decided to open an account on Bluesky.”

However, the EMA clarified that it would keep its X account active to prevent impersonation and to monitor conversations related to public and animal health.

X.com remains a major social media platform with hundreds of millions of active users. However, since Elon Musk acquired it in 2022, the platform has seen a decline in user activity.

Reports suggest many users left the platform following Musk’s public support for controversial political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bluesky has emerged as an alternative for users seeking a platform free from misinformation, hate speech, and claims of algorithm manipulation. It has gained popularity, attracting around 30 million users.

The EMA is not alone in abandoning X. Other notable organizations and public figures have left the platform, including author Stephen King, actor Mark Hamill, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), news outlets like NPR and The Guardian, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, and health insurer UnitedHealth Group.

Interestingly, X was once essential for biotech start-ups seeking visibility with investors and the public. Today, many of these companies have shifted to platforms like LinkedIn, which offer a less politicized environment.

The EMA’s move comes at a time when Musk has been actively engaging in European politics, supporting populist, right-wing parties such as Reform UK and Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Last week, Musk posted, “From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!” signaling his growing interest in influencing European political discourse.