Elon Musk's X, formerly Twitter, has been found to be blocking links to Signal.me, a URL shortener used by the private messaging app Signal. This move has raised concerns about censorship and free speech, particularly in light of Musk's self-described advocacy for free speech.

The blocks, which affect direct messages, public posts, and profile pages, were first spotted by the blog Disruptionist. When attempting to share a link to Signal.me via post or direct message, users are met with error messages. For instance, when trying to share a link via a post, a message pops up saying, "Something went wrong, but don't fret – let's give it another shot." Any message with a link to Signal.me also fails to send, with a pop-up appearing that says, "This request looks like it might be automated. To protect our users from spam and other malicious activity, we can't complete this action right now. Please try again later."

The timing of this move is notable, as it comes amidst a crackdown on federal agencies by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Nearly 10,000 federal workers have been fired across the government as DOGE works to slash federal spending and shut down entire agencies, such as USAID. In response, many federal workers have turned to Signal's encrypted messaging platform to securely share information and blow the whistle on potentially harmful activity.

Signal.me is a URL shortener used by Signal to allow users to send out a link that's used to contact them directly through the service. By blocking links to Signal.me, X is effectively limiting the ability of users to share information and communicate securely. This move has sparked concerns about censorship and the suppression of free speech, particularly in light of Musk's history of attacking publications and individuals who have spoken out against his actions.

Musk has been accused of blocking accounts on X of people who have disagreed with him, raising questions about his commitment to free speech. This latest move has only added to these concerns, with many wondering whether X is becoming a platform that prioritizes Musk's own interests over the free exchange of ideas.

TechCrunch has reached out to X for comment, but has yet to receive a response. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how X will respond to these concerns and whether it will reverse its decision to block links to Signal.me.

In the meantime, this move serves as a reminder of the importance of online platforms in facilitating free speech and open communication. As social media platforms continue to wield significant influence over the flow of information, it is crucial that they prioritize transparency, accountability, and the protection of user rights.