The Halifax Regional Municipality has publicly unveiled its timeline for transitioning from the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to a newer platform called Bluesky. This move follows a decision by the municipality's council to evaluate the feasibility of such a transition amidst growing concerns over the platform's association with Elon Musk and various controversies surrounding his ownership.
In recent times, the platform has been criticized by many, including Councillor Laura White, who initiated the motion to stop using X. White stated that the atmosphere on the platform has deteriorated significantly since Musk's acquisition, becoming less congenial, informative, and useful, while increasingly toxic. She noted that many reputable organizations are uncomfortable continuing their association with X, prompting the need for the municipality to seek alternatives.
The city has already taken steps towards this transition by launching its Bluesky accounts earlier this month. As of June 22, the main account for Halifax Regional Municipality has accumulated a following of 5,200 users on Bluesky. Additionally, separate accounts have been established for other municipal services, including Halifax Transit, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency, Halifax Events, Halifax Parks & Recreation, and Halifax Planning. However, some entities such as Halifax Water, Halifax Regional Police, and Halifax Public Libraries will not transition to Bluesky, as they manage their social media strategies independently from the municipality.
The timeline for the transition is set to begin on July 2, when the municipality will start sharing most updates through Bluesky. During a transition period from July 2 to July 14, the use of X will be limited to significant service disruptions and emergencies only. After this period concludes on July 14, the municipality plans to completely cease using X for any communications.
This strategic shift underscores the municipality's intent to maintain a positive and constructive online presence that aligns with its values and the expectations of its community. By moving to Bluesky, the Halifax Regional Municipality is taking proactive steps to ensure that its communications remain relevant, safe, and beneficial, in light of the evolving landscape of social media and public discourse. As more organizations reassess their digital platforms, Halifax's transition to Bluesky may serve as a precedent for other municipalities facing similar dilemmas regarding their online communications.
