Elon Musk’s platform X, previously known as Twitter, has restricted access to links directed at Signal.me, a URL shortening service utilized by the messaging app Signal, which enables users to share links for direct communication. These restrictions affect direct messages, public posts, and profile pages, as initially reported by the blog Disruptionist.

This development coincides with the initiatives from DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) targeting various federal agencies, including NASA and the Department of Education. As a result, many employees have turned to Signal’s encrypted messaging platform for secure communication and to report misconduct.

Approximately 10,000 federal employees have been laid off as Musk’s DOGE seeks to reduce federal expenditures and eliminate entire agencies, such as USAID.

Attempts by TechCrunch to share a link via posts and direct messages were unsuccessful. When posting a link, users receive a notification stating: “Something went wrong, but don’t worry – let’s try again.”

Additionally, messages containing links to Signal.me fail to send, triggering a pop-up that reads, “This request appears to be automated. To safeguard our users from spam and harmful activity, we are unable to fulfill this request at this moment. Please try again later.”

TechCrunch has reached out to X for further clarification on this matter.

Although Musk has proclaimed himself a champion of free speech, he often criticizes media outlets and individuals who oppose his views. He has also faced accusations of suppressing accounts on X that have contradicted him.