Elon Musk's Company Took the @X Handle From Original Owner on Twitter, Offered Merch (But No Money)

Elon Musk‘s company took the @X handle, turning it into the official new handle for the social media company X, formerly known as Twitter.

However, it originally belonged to someone else.

Gene X. Hwang, co-founder of event photo company Orange Photography and the person who originally registered the @x handle over 16 years ago, revealed to Mashable that Elon and the company took the handle over.

Keep reading to find out more…

“[I] got an email basically saying they are taking it,” he said.

The email reportedly came from the generic support@twitter.com email address and not from a specific employee within the company.

The company now formerly known as Twitter did offer “an alternative handle with the history of the @x account” so that his original account, complete with its posts and followers, could continue.

They also changed his handle to @x12345678998765 in the meantime, although he also offered a new handle of his choice – as long as it’s available.

“Alls well that ends well,” he posted.

The company did not offer money, but did offer Gene X. Hwang some non-financial compensation.

“Some merch and to meet with management if I like,” he said.

“Oh well – guess that’s how it goes…probably will not take them up on the offer to meet though :)” he added.

Find out more about Elon Musk‘s rebranding of Twitter as “X.”