X is selling existing users' handles
I've been on Twitter since 2007 as @hac. In recent years I didn't sign in frequently, then last week I saw my handle show up on the new X Handles marketplace. It seems the account now belongs to X, and because I had a "rare handle" I can't even buy it back. From what I can tell, they will wait for some time and then auction the handle for around $100k. Losing your account is frustrating. Having it sold to someone else doesn't feel right. Of course, there is no warning when it happens. All you can do to prevent it is sign in every 30 days and read all changes to the TOS. 0 comments on Hacker News.
I've been on Twitter since 2007 as @hac. In recent years I didn't sign in frequently, then last week I saw my handle show up on the new X Handles marketplace. It seems the account now belongs to X, and because I had a "rare handle" I can't even buy it back. From what I can tell, they will wait for some time and then auction the handle for around $100k. Losing your account is frustrating. Having it sold to someone else doesn't feel right. Of course, there is no warning when it happens. All you can do to prevent it is sign in every 30 days and read all changes to the TOS.
I've been on Twitter since 2007 as @hac. In recent years I didn't sign in frequently, then last week I saw my handle show up on the new X Handles marketplace. It seems the account now belongs to X, and because I had a "rare handle" I can't even buy it back. From what I can tell, they will wait for some time and then auction the handle for around $100k. Losing your account is frustrating. Having it sold to someone else doesn't feel right. Of course, there is no warning when it happens. All you can do to prevent it is sign in every 30 days and read all changes to the TOS. 0 comments on Hacker News.
I've been on Twitter since 2007 as @hac. In recent years I didn't sign in frequently, then last week I saw my handle show up on the new X Handles marketplace. It seems the account now belongs to X, and because I had a "rare handle" I can't even buy it back. From what I can tell, they will wait for some time and then auction the handle for around $100k. Losing your account is frustrating. Having it sold to someone else doesn't feel right. Of course, there is no warning when it happens. All you can do to prevent it is sign in every 30 days and read all changes to the TOS.
Hacker News story: X is selling existing users' handles
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Reviewed by Tha Kur
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March 11, 2026
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