Elon Musk buys Twitter: What the takeover could mean for users

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After months of negotiation and some controversy, billionaire Elon Musk now owns Twitter.

Musk acquired the social network in a $44 billion deal. Previously a publicly owned company, experts say the social network could undergo some drastic changes under the new ownership.

Musk has already cut a number of high-ranking Twitter managers and says he's considering charging a monthly subscription cost for verified accounts.

Users could see more advertisements as Twitter faces looming debt and Musk looks to make the company more profitable.

"He can make all of these changes but it's like a Jenga tower. If you move one block, are you going to knock over more blocks," said Michael Mirer, assistant professor at UW-Milwaukee Department of Communication.

There are also still lingering questions about how Musk will address censorship and free speech on the platform.

"Some of the social media companies, including Twitter, have aired too far on the side of imposing censorship in the last few years," said Jessica McBride, UW-Milwaukee journalism lecturer.

Experts says Twitter users will likely see less instances of censorship with Musk as owner.