250202 Open Discussion on using Twitter/X links

https://www.reddit.com/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/

created by Kokechii on 01/02/2025 at 18:30 UTC*

127 upvotes, 40 top-level comments (showing 25)

Hello everyone!

We’re here to open a discussion on using Twitter/X links for future posts and how that will affect updates, news, content, and current submission guidelines on /r/bangtan. We would like to hear your perspectives, gather ideas, and maybe even come up with possible solutions.

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What is wrong with Twitter/X links? Why are we talking about this now?

A few of you had discussions about this in the weekly room and also reached out to us via modmail about your concerns regarding giving traffic and clicks to this platform given the harmful policies, questionable actions, including nazi symbolism, and political views of its owner that may affect a large portion of ARMY. Ever since the change in ownership, the platform has also made it difficult for people that do not have Twitter/X accounts to access the linked thread/s or multiple photos.

The sub has never banned political discussions provided that it meets sub guidelines/remains civil. There will be times that BTS themselves are involved in something politically adjacent or will do something that sparks a discussion on our own political views or stance on global issues.

What’s on our mind

One of the things we thought of was there is a lot of content/announcements/news on the official BTS and BigHit accounts, as those accounts are three primary modes of communication with the fans. In particular **BTS_twt** (which is what the members use), **BTS Official** and **BigHit Music**. 








### So what do we do about preserving BTS and ARMY history?

/r/bangtan also functions as an archive, as one of our goals has always been to preserve information and a history of BTS content.

Besides links from the three aforementioned official accounts, many of our posts have Twitter/X links - for example a lot of Throwback posts, various SNS mentions during solo or group releases, milestones, charting etc. For us, this means we need to come up with solutions on how to manage possible new rules for different posts types. Twitter/X links have also been used a lot in the past to educate new ARMY about BTS history or for providing context and references by this sub and its users.

What do we do with all of these?

That being said, whatever it is we decide moving forward, we do have to keep in mind that being an archive and providing reliable information or sources is an integral part of the subreddit.

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### What’s next?

We are interested in what you have to say about X/Twitter links as the users of r/bangtan. Do you have ideas and/or suggestions, reasonable solutions you want to share with us? General thoughts or feelings towards this situation/concern? Please feel free to drop them in the comments.

Whatever it is we discuss as a community, the mods will provide an update on any changes, if any or none. We just ask that you give us some patience as there are many rules on the sub that may have to be revisited.

The discussion thread still falls under the sub rules, and we kindly ask to please be civil with one another and keep the good spirit of the sub.

Thank you!

ETA: Please feel free to send us modmail if you are more comfortable sharing your thoughts and suggestions that way. You can do so by writing /r/bangtan in the To: field of a regular PM or here[1]. The link to reach us is available on the sidebar as well.

=> https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/bangtan 1: https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/bangtan


# Comments

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf9hdx/ Comment by lullaby_cat at 01/02/2025 at 19:20 UTC
76 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Mods, as always, I would like to first express my appreciation for this well moderated space, and for opening the discussion in response to community members requests.  I fully support the rule suggestions outlined above.  While some of us have strong convictions about the platform, I do not view these rules as “becoming political” as the utility of Twitter/X decreased when changes were made to the ability to access the platform as a non-user. In my mind, these changes of adding screenshots support the ongoing record/archive keeping. And keeping the only links posted as official accounts until BTS leave the platform or consistently post duplicates elsewhere keeps to the purpose of this community.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf7mom/ Comment by atxbuddy1 at 01/02/2025 at 19:11 UTC
34 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Mods, thank you for bringing up this discussion.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf5xi5/ Comment by pindagogo at 01/02/2025 at 19:02 UTC*
71 upvotes, 4 direct replies

As I stated before, I would love if Twitter could be disregarded altogether but I acknowledge that may be impossible for some.
However, to not give Twitter any clicks (and REVENUE!)  but still see tweets/threads, it is possible to use the tool:

=> http://xcancel.com xcancel.com

It lets you view the content of tweets/threads without having an account, and without loading any ads.
That way one can still see important updates, and possibly screenshot them for further use.

Using this tool means you're not inadvertently aiding and abetting the person who owns twitter/the twitter servers and not give them any revenue either.

Also, I know some ARMY translators - but the names escape me now, if someone knows of some, please let me know -  have moved over to Bluesky and I would urge anyone to seek those out, instead of the ones on Twitter.

Thanks to the mods for opening this discussion, and to all who participate.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf84mm/ Comment by Asmuni at 01/02/2025 at 19:13 UTC
62 upvotes, 4 direct replies

I'm happy we are taking the step to ban it as much as possible. I know other subs even ban allowing screenshots but honestly providing a screenshot is a very good way to not have people needing to click the link to view things.
So providing screenshots as you guys mentioned above is the preference of me. Of course if an announcement is made elsewhere too I prefer that even more, but you also already mentioned that :)
Until K-pop as a whole starts viewing bluesky as the best new app to be on this is the best compromise.
I would also like it if we will use translators on bluesky as much as possible.  Bangtansubs[1] for example is active on bluesky.

=> https://bsky.app/profile/bangtansubs.com 1: https://bsky.app/profile/bangtansubs.com

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mag9knq/ Comment by phoenixwinged at 01/02/2025 at 22:26 UTC
32 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I think as long as BTS maintains official accounts on twitter we're going to be stuck with it to a certain extent. I know someone else mentioned an unofficial account on bluesky that copy/pastes the official account's updates, but that just means a mod will have to go and verify the original post. I think BTS's Facebook account duplicates twitter posts, but then that's owned by Meta (as is insta, which also gets posted here) and Zuck is clearly aligned with Musk/Trump, so...

imo the proposed idea of allowing posts from the official X accounts but including whatever the contents are within the reddit posts so people don't have to click through if they don't want to is a good idea. and it's also good for archive purposes. I would be somewhat wary of using third party sites that duplicate/circumvent major platforms because they tend to go down eventually (rip to unreddit etc I miss you)

I've been waiting to see if other kpop groups/non-kpop artists/famous people generally have opened bluesky accounts to see if the tide is turning but I don't think it's really happened yet (I do lowkey live under a rock though, lmao).

For now an enormous part of the fandom is still very active on twitter and unofficial projects etc continue to be organised there and I think it will stay that way until there are official accounts opened on bluesky. When/if that will happen though I have no idea. afaik only one popular translator account is also on bsky and they don't do live translations; having a running list of multiple army translators so I know what's going on during lives is one of the reasons I still have my fandom twitter account.

Archive content should be left alone.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafqrm0/ Comment by PoetrySuper2583 at 01/02/2025 at 20:48 UTC
13 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I think diversifying reliance on one platform is always ideal as nothing lasts forever in addition to the problematic ownership. X could be shut down in a second as it’s truly put together with duct tape at this point. That does make me feel concerned about preserving history there as it does have a lot of important fandom content 🥲

I agree with the suggestion to only allow Xwitter links from those 3 primary sources and to clearly label them. I also agree that translations should be first checked on Bluesky and if unavailable posted from Xwitter but only via screenshot.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafgsn2/ Comment by triple-double at 01/02/2025 at 19:56 UTC
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies

There are various sites that clone twitter. Xcancel is a good one. Just change the x.com link to xcancel.com and leave everything else the same. I prefer to use these when posting, but it’s probably a matter of time before it’s shut down

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafrm7z/ Comment by Aeriellie at 01/02/2025 at 20:52 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies

i’ve been seeing screenshots be posted instead of links. that’s a good middle area.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf4g7j/ Comment by van-tae at 01/02/2025 at 18:55 UTC
47 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I think it will be impossible to do an outright ban with the state of the fandom - I think what would be reasonable would be to only allow direct links to official updates from their official account, and then allow for trusted translators to be referred to X. An example could be that translations from X must be screenshot AND linked so we can decide for ourselves if we want to click the link or not, but still have the opportunity to see the content. I do however think that all other types of links to X should be avoided, and that there maybe could be a trial period and then potential revision to the rules.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf23rg/ Comment by stelpang at 01/02/2025 at 18:43 UTC
32 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Hi mods. Thanks for opening this discussion. While I would personally like to see no X links, I recognize that ARMY is global. Some may not want to start building a new social media presence. BTS themselves (plus BigHit and BTS official) have been on that platform forever. They may not see the need to move to something like BlueSky. The best we can hope for is that they primarily use Weverse. I'm rambling.

In an ideal world, I say no X links. But that's not realistic when the artistes we support have a heavy X presence. Until that changes, the rule updates you listed are a reasonable compromise. I think those of us who chose to leave X did it considering we may lose some visibility to Bangtan news. So more context or screenshots would be helpful in the posts. Thank you.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mahcql0/ Comment by pinatad at 02/02/2025 at 02:00 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I really appreciate you MODs for taking this seriously. I know it can be tough finding the right solution with issues like this.

I know for myself as someone who has never used Twitter I would love it if there's was more images/information shared directly in a discussion so that I'm not having to hop around to other social media. I feel like it just makes looking through a discussion easier if as much of the information is shared directly there;(i.e. screenshots/translations).

In my experience over the past couple of years I'm more likely to engage in a topic if more of it is shared within the thread. I feel like for archival purposes it would be better if everything could be seen in the discussion as opposed to Twitter links. I know I've looked at content from years past and clicked links only to find that Twitter user/information is gone. So then it's like all that info is gone. Granted that could be more of an issue of the sub in the past if it was more unofficial accounts shared.

either way, I appreciate y'all. this isn't easy especially since BTS does still use Twitter quite a bit.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf512b/ Comment by roseohseven at 01/02/2025 at 18:58 UTC
37 upvotes, 1 direct replies

BTS will leave/use X less when ARMY stops using X/uses it less. ARMY follows BTS, but BTS also follows ARMY. So I would advocate any and all measures to convince ARMY to stop using X, which I believe will eventually cause BTS to follow. But that is just this one ARMY's hope/opinion! 💜

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafmvdf/ Comment by amala83 at 01/02/2025 at 20:28 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Personally, I don’t use Twitter. Aside from posting something in this sub and have to include a mirror, I avoid that social media platform.

I will say that a lot of times I learn about miscellaneous things related to BTS on Instagram rather than Twitter.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maic9ny/ Comment by 875forever at 02/02/2025 at 05:41 UTC*
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Appreciate this forum to discuss. Personally i support prioritizing alternative sources if a certain content is posted across different social media accounts.

However if X is the only source of something I think we should keep it as is to keep the most accurate archive. I mostly use Reddit on mobile and you can identify the link source when scrolling. Example here:

=> https://preview.redd.it/f5ozj4chwnge1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cad6346f1e0d3ae32affe0c88e1b95aad2557ab https://preview.redd.it/f5ozj4chwnge1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7cad6346f1e0d3ae32affe0c88e1b95aad2557ab

So if people decide they don’t want to engage with X then they should choose not to click on the link. Just like I personally don’t want to support TikTok so I don’t click the TikTok links when they are posted. I don’t think it makes sense to impose these rules on everyone. If the majority of people who truly don’t want to give X engagement don’t click on these links then X won’t get the engagement ….

I think if enough people don’t engage with X then BTS/ Hybe will also move on to different platforms.

For translations… maybe have people use Xcancel or none X sources?

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mailuou/ Comment by gaynunsondope at 02/02/2025 at 06:55 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Given the climate of what’s happening sociopolitically in the United States as a blPOC, I have tons to say (while also feeling like I don’t even have to explain) about why I refuse to use X, twitter, TikTok, etc on purpose, deleted fb and instagram (meta), and so one. I hated Twitter when it blew up and hate it to this day as well. Tiktok too. Never had either and have only watched them taint and decline from bigotry, misogyny (misogynoir), xenophobia, the works. No, that’s not the only thing those spaces have to offer, and yes, there are positives, especially for artists of all sorts. But pros are subjective, everyone can pick and choose. Due to hate, misguided financial power, and propaganda, I have to draw the line on going full stop when it comes to links and redirection.

As Army, I’ve kinda been a loner irl. This sub I feel comfortable in, and that was after bluesky buds recommended it. I wanna be active on social media again. But I seriously don’t want to support those platforms, particularly x/twitter, for obvious reason. Happy to see that this is being taken into consideration.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/majk8zt/ Comment by New-Bluebird6124 at 02/02/2025 at 12:23 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I understand those who would like a complete ban, but I think the proposed solution will work better in the medium term, after all it restricts to X only what is not available on other networks and standardizes the signaling for those who do not want to go there.  During the month of September, X was banned in my country. I went to Bluesky and most of my moots too, but as soon as the ban was revoked, most of them came back. I decided at that time to not post on X anymore, but I did not deactivate my account because even though this sub has been very useful in keeping me updated about BTS/ARMY, most of the translation accounts are still on X and even those that are also on Bluesky, they take longer to update there.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafe55x/ Comment by Min-Ursa at 01/02/2025 at 19:43 UTC
9 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I personally would love to see us move away from mentioning Twitter at all in future posts, but I don't feel concerned about leaving our archives with links since those are conversations from the past and they did happen, so we should keep that record. For the future, I would most like to see us not give Twt any attention at all, going forward, though. I do think that BTS is aware of what the fandom cares about and would notice. Would they leave Twt for us? I wish they would, but don't know! I suspect they might, at a minimum, mirror to bsky or BangtanTV or rely on Weverse more.

Anyway, I appreciate the mods trying to work out the best solution for us here. I think overall you all do a great job! I appreciate that you are asking us our thoughts on this.

For me, if you (the mods)  think we 100% cannot survive as a sub and as a community dropping Twt talk and reposts completely, then posting screenshots without links (and only from those three most official accounts) would be the closer compromise to what I would prefer. Anyone who wanted to find the original tweet could still look up the image online and get to Twt, but I would like for that to take some work. If it does take some work and all the info is in the screenshot already, I think a lot of people wouldn't bother to go look.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf3gnk/ Comment by sciencespecialist at 01/02/2025 at 18:50 UTC*
17 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I'll start the comment discussion, as I've been one of the ones in the weekly discussion voicing my concerns, but please know this is not the entirety of my thoughts and feelings about this. Those things are difficult to articulate, to be honest. I abhor the current owner of X and everything about everything he is doing. If anyone wants to completely disassociate themselves with any entity that lets X creep in at all, I understand that (and have often had that exact thought in my head and may end up in that camp.) But, I think what the mods have laid out above in the "what's on our mind" section could work for the sub. It's going to be difficult to maintain the announcement function of the sub without acknowledging some things are on X (assuming there is anything that is only on X, which I am not sure is the case anymore) I would really, really like for us to focus on alternatives to that whenever possible to box out X and starve the beast. K-pop stars and agencies, in my opinion, need to get a reality check and get off of that. The platform has become too offensive to too many people. I think it's going to have to get bad for business for them to make the changes they need to make.

OK, this is me starting the conversation, and I look forward to what everyone has to say. I have more to say. I have more thoughts. I think when I read everyone else's thoughts, I'm going to think, yeah, I think that, too. Or, at least, I get that viewpoint, as well. Thank you to the mods for laying out things so clearly and thoughtfully in the post.

I'll add this - several subs I'm on have banned X completely (and I see our problem in our sub with the archives, but those subs are either k-pop focused or very pop culture focused and I'm not sure how they are handling the archive issue) and I'm watching those subs to see how that impacts information and engagement.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafn0io/ Comment by mariwil74 at 01/02/2025 at 20:28 UTC*
13 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I’m fine with a ban. I would also encourage every single ARMY to contact HYBE/Big Hit and urge them to, if not abandon Twitter, at least create an account on BlueSky and post there as well so we have an alternative. I’ve already deleted my other Twitter account and the ONLY reason I’m still there is because that’s where I get BTS news and connect with my ARMY friends. If we knew they’d have a presence on BlueSky I think we’d all migrate there in a hot minute.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafrlki/ Comment by Consuela_no_no at 01/02/2025 at 20:52 UTC
16 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Practically thinking, whilst a majority of ARMY that actively and quite meaningfully participates in fandom related activities is on Twitter, it seems egregious to ban links from there. Couple that with how global the fandom is and that Twitter is easily accessible for them, it would not at this stage make sense to ban links from Twitter.

We however should work together to provide an alt link wherever possible, so that even if the main link is from Twitter, fans that wish to, can access the information from another point. I also don’t see the company having BTS leave Twitter, that’s a naive expectation imo and a hope we can’t base decisions upon.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/magxrt0/ Comment by purple_sky16 at 02/02/2025 at 00:37 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies

While BTS occasionally engages in 'politically adjacent' topics, I personally appreciate this subreddit for being a neutral, OT7-focused space. From that perspective, I think it’s best to maintain that neutrality. The historical content on X that serves as an archive doesn’t need to be changed or altered in this Subreddit —there’s no reason to erase history simply because the present situation is uncomfortable for some.

Realistically, I don’t think BTS will leave X anytime soon. It’s where they started, and they still have a massive global following there. The platform remains widely accessible outside of the US, making it an important tool for engagement. While I understand the concerns about giving traffic to X due to political reasons, I think it’s important to keep that separate from the subreddit. It's also important to mention that a lot of unofficial ARMY and fan projects start and are circulated on X and then trickle down to other platforms.

I personally like the idea of copying and pasting content from X with appropriate links so that those who prefer not to visit the site can still read the information, especially translations. AND if there is an alternative platform link available, posting that would be great when possible. I believe people should use their own discretion. If someone doesn’t want to give the platform traffic, they simply don’t have to click the link. There’s no need for the entire subreddit to police itself on that level, individuals can choose what they engage with at the end of the day.

For me, accepting the use of X for the sake of BTS is reasonable. I recognize that BTS and their label will ultimately make the final call on where they engage and I can accept that, while staying focused on what brought me here: my love for BTS and my desire to connect with others who share that love.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maf9mhk/ Comment by cxmiy at 01/02/2025 at 19:21 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies

for me personally, what you thought about sounds good and it’s what would work best. the fourth point is important. the more context we have, the less we’re inclined to click on the source, and ban or not we can choose not to go there regardless

maybe one day twitter will fall off, but i don’t see it being the case any time soon so it would be impossible for us to completely disengage if we want official sources, imo

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mah1gdr/ Comment by thisisridiculouswhat at 02/02/2025 at 00:57 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I'm of the opinion on banning twt/x links outright. No exceptions. If someone wants to post an update or whatever from twt/x they can only post screen shots.

We don't need to drive engagement to that website.

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/maj1chu/ Comment by ayanbibiyan at 02/02/2025 at 09:21 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Thank you mods for thinking through this and putting this proposal together! I think the rules proposed make sense for the time being, and leave space to be revised in the future (for example if official account move elsewhere)

=> gemini://gemini.bunburya.eu/remini/r/bangtan/comments/1ifctwq/250202_open_discussion_on_using_twitterx_links/mafeuax/ Comment by NewtRipley_1986 at 01/02/2025 at 19:47 UTC*
13 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I refuse to support x/twit anymore and the suggestions by the mods are good but TBH I don’t think those should be “possible rules” but actual rules. **People need to be clear where links are going to.** The sub should allow Bluesky links or xcancel links instead. There is a Bluesky user who posts the BTS_twt & BTS Official tweets on BS - those links should be considered legit and approved to use.

Once all is sorted out, something a few other subs are doing is automatic removal of posts or comments that use x/twit links.



=> https://preview.redd.it/6nmb95m8vlge1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53fb550bcf5a4ef09c3699a47213d5923304cf12 https://preview.redd.it/6nmb95m8vlge1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53fb550bcf5a4ef09c3699a47213d5923304cf12