Social network Twitter, recently rebranded as X, has acquired the handle “@music” from software developer Jeremy Vaught, who created the account in 2007 and had amassed around half a million followers. X gave Vaught the option to choose from a list of other music-related handles, and he reluctantly settled for “@musicfan.”

This move by X raises concerns about the value of a username on its platform and the trust creators can have in building a long-term presence there.

Vaught had not monetized his “@music” account but occasionally reviewed consumer hardware as a social media influencer. This decision by X may impact creators’ willingness to invest in the platform.

Previously, Twitter had left the “@music” handle untouched and established its own “@twittermusic” brand. It remains unclear what X plans to do with the “@music” account now.

Vaught, who had invested 16 years into the platform, expressed disappointment that X would take over his handle without any personal communication.

He had considered building something around his “@music” account to capitalize on his audience and feels uneasy about being assigned the handle “@musicfan,” unsure if it was taken from another user.

Vaught’s experience highlights questions about intellectual property and users’ rights on social media platforms.

Vaught continues to use X but has also set up accounts on Meta’s competitor Threads and Mastodon. He finds Twitter the most interesting social media platform due to its active software development community.

The actions of X in acquiring the “@music” handle from a long-time user raises concerns about the value of usernames on social media platforms and the trust creators can have in building their presence. It also underscores the need for clearer guidelines and transparency regarding intellectual property and users’ rights.