The neon “X” sign that caused controversy when it was installed on the roof of the former Twitter headquarters in San Francisco has been removed, according to multiple eyewitnesses. Photos of construction workers dismantling the sign were posted on CEO Elon Musk’s platform. Although the company has not issued a public statement, the sign is no longer visible on Musk’s Twitter account.
The removal of the sign comes after the city of San Francisco filed a complaint and launched an investigation, stating that permits were required to erect signs on top of buildings. In addition, neighbors had complained about the sign’s bright light, which illuminated the area like daylight and disturbed residents in a nearby building.
Previously, police had attempted to intervene as workers removed the Twitter logo and blue bird from the building, claiming they lacked permits to close the street. However, authorities later determined that no crime had been committed and that the sign’s removal was not a police matter.
While the controversy surrounding the sign unfolded, San Francisco has been grappling with rising crime rates. Several major retail chains, including Whole Foods, Nordstrom, and Saks Off Fifth, have left the city, citing safety concerns. A CNN reporter sent to document the city’s crime problem had her rental car window smashed and her belongings stolen.
Despite the challenges faced by San Francisco, Musk announced that X Corp’s headquarters would remain in the city. He revealed that many incentives had been offered to entice the company to relocate elsewhere but affirmed his commitment to San Francisco.
Twitter officially became X Corp in April, but the company only recently adopted the new X logo. Musk held a competition among his followers to design the logo, signaling his intention to move away from the Twitter brand and its association with birds. This decision has divided opinions on the future of the platform. Some believe that discarding the recognizable Twitter brand could render X Corp irrelevant, while Musk asserts that the logo change should have been implemented sooner.
Musk aims to transform the social media platform into an “everything app” similar to China’s WeChat. He envisions a revamped platform that offers a wide range of services beyond traditional social media functions.
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