Several British police forces are stepping away from Elon Musk's social media platform, X, previously known as Twitter, due to growing concerns about its role in facilitating violent and extreme content. A recent survey conducted by Reuters revealed significant reductions in social media activity from various police departments, raising eyebrows about the platform's safety and policy directions.
X has found itself at the center of controversy, especially following the widespread misinformation spread over the summer, which incited riots across various cities in Britain. The platform also recently reinstated several British accounts previously banned for posting extremist content. These developments have alarmed authorities, who are now questioning the impact of such environments on public safety and community relations.
Reports indicate tensions have escalated following comments made by Musk in August, when he implied civil unrest was 'inevitable' within Britain, prompting backlash from government officials, including those from Downing Street. Critics have accused Musk of allowing hate speech to flourish under the guise of free speech, with Musk himself branding the UK as a ‘police state’ for its regulations.
According to the survey by Reuters, which monitored posts from around 44 territorial police and British Transport Police over the past three months, some forces have drastically reduced their presence on the platform. For example, the West Midlands Police, responsible for policing Birmingham, has slashed its posts by approximately 95 percent compared to the same time last year. Lancashire Police mirrored this trend, cutting their X posts by more than 75 percent.
North Wales Police became the first to completely withdraw from using the platform, claiming it was ineffective for community outreach. The force stated, 'X was no longer an effective communication medium, this change hasn't affected our abilities to reach our communities.' Meanwhile, Derbyshire Police, which serves about one million residents, last posted original content on August 12, opting to respond only to inquiries since then, as they review their social media strategy.
While the heads of some police forces still find X useful for quick updates on urgent issues like road closures, many believe other platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, offer more effective engagement with communities. This shift could signal the beginning of the end for X as the primary communication channel for law enforcement agencies.
Despite the turbulent atmosphere surrounding X, it still retains around 10 million users in Britain, far outperforming competitors like Threads and Blue Sky. Yet, data from digital intelligence firm Similarweb indicates X's user base has declined by 19 percent over the past year—an alarming trend for any social media platform.
The British government also continues to use X for announcements, though there’s been no paid advertising on the platform as some resources have redirected toward Meta’s platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Responding to inquiries from Reuters, police forces like West Midlands cited their commitment to adapt to the changing digital environment, stating, 'We understand, as the digital landscapes evolve, so do our audiences' channels of choice.' While many have stepped back, experts suggest the reluctance to leave stems from the significant investments these institutions have made on the platform over the years.
Cary Cooper, professor of organizational psychology at Alliance Manchester Business School, commented on the attachment many organizations feel to X, stating, 'Institutions, like individuals, get addicted. They invested significant time and resources over time.' Given the rapid changes within the digital communication sphere, it appears police forces face increasingly pressing decisions about their online presence.
Meanwhile, the content moderation practices on X have come under intense scrutiny. Multiple organizations, including reputed news outlets like the Guardian and organizations such as the Center for Countering Digital Hate, have also ceased using the platform due to concerns about its toxic environment and spread of misinformation.
With police forces now examining their roles on X and some already withdrawing, the future of platform's role as a central communication tool for public safety might be up for debate finding alternative methods could be key to effective community outreach moving forward.
The departure of numerous established institutions raises questions about the long-term viability of X as not just a platform for social discourse but as a communication tool for public safety. The trend seems clear: as concerns about violent content and misinformation grow, so does the willingness of organizations to cut ties with X.
Looking forward, it will be interesting to see how social media evolves and whether other platforms can fill the void left by X. Institutions are increasingly prioritizing the safety and well-being of their communities, and the migration away from Musk's controversial platform might just be the beginning of broader changes across social media usage.
