Twitter’s rebranding continues as CEO Elon Musk announced the change to the official handle, now known as @X. The previous @Twitter handle is now inactive, redirecting users to follow @X for updates.
Other official Twitter handles have also undergone changes, either dropping the “Twitter” name or replacing it with the letter X.
On Tuesday, Twitter briefly updated its new “X” logo with bolder lines. However, Elon Musk later decided to revert the change, stating that he did not “like the thicker bars” and that the logo would “evolve over time.”
@X Handle Ownership Controversy
TechCrunch reported that Twitter did not reach out to the original owner of the @X handle, Gene X Hwang of Orange Photography. However, Hwang tweeted from his new handle @x1234567998765, hinting that the situation has been resolved. It remains unclear if he sold the handle to Twitter.
Twitter’s Updated Handles and Logo
Twitter’s official handles, such as @TwitterSupport, @TwitterDev (now inactive), and @TwitterAPI, have been renamed @Support, @Xdevelopers, and @API, respectively, all adopting the new X logo as their profile pictures.
Twitter Blue Subscription Service Becomes @XBlue
Twitter’s subscription service, Twitter Blue, has been rebranded as @XBlue on the site. Despite the change, the About page of the paid plan still retains the Twitter Blue branding.
Additionally, verified users can now allow other Blue users to download their posted videos for offline viewing, according to an update on the Twitter Video page reported by The Verge.
Challenges with Rebranding
The Twitter rebranding process has not been entirely smooth, as some parts of the site still display the Twitter branding, including the mobile apps. Reports also highlight possible legal challenges, with Microsoft owning an X trademark related to Xbox since 2003 and Meta owning a federal trademark for a blue-and-white letter “X” since 2019.
A trademark attorney predicts a high likelihood of legal action against Musk’s social network over the X rebranding. The Twitter logo was partially taken down at the company’s headquarters in San Francisco. However, the police had to intervene when a crane, used for unauthorized work, caused traffic disruption.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Twitter (now referred to as @X) is offering new incentives to advertisers in the US and UK, such as discounted prices for video ads found under the “Explore” tab.