British police forces are pulling back from X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, due to mounting concerns over its role in spreading misinformation and extremist content. A recent Reuters survey highlights a notable decline in police activity on the platform, with some forces even abandoning it entirely.
Concerns Over Misinformation and Violence
X has come under fire for its involvement in spreading false information, which contributed to riots in the UK this summer. The platform has also reinstated several accounts that were previously banned for promoting hate speech.
In August, Elon Musk, the platform’s owner, stirred controversy by suggesting that a civil war in Britain was “inevitable,” a statement that received heavy criticism from both Downing Street and police leaders. Although Musk defends his approach as a matter of free speech, critics argue that his policies allow harmful content to flourish. He further exacerbated tensions by calling Britain a “police state,” straining his relationship with law enforcement.
Police Forces Cut Back on X Activity
The Reuters survey, which monitored the social media activity of 44 territorial police forces and the British Transport Police between August and November, found that many forces have drastically reduced their posts on X compared to the previous year.
– West Midlands Police, responsible for Birmingham, saw a drastic 95% reduction in its X activity.
– Lancashire Police cut its posts by about 75%, explaining, “As the digital landscape changes, so too does our audiences’ channels of choice.”
– Derbyshire Police, serving a population of around a million, ceased original posts on August 12 and now only responds to inquiries. The force is reviewing its social media strategy.
North Wales Police is the first to officially leave X, stating that the platform was no longer an effective communication tool. “This change hasn’t affected our ability to reach our communities,” the force said.
Shifting to Other Platforms
Although some police forces continue to use X for updates such as road closures, many are increasingly turning to platforms like Facebook and Instagram to better engage with local communities.
This trend extends beyond law enforcement. Several well-known organizations, including the Guardian newspaper and the Center for Countering Digital Hate, have also quit X, citing concerns about its content moderation practices and the growing toxicity on the platform.
X’s Declining Popularity in the UK
Once a dominant tool for communication among public services and institutions in Britain, X is now facing a decline in users. According to data from Similarweb, the number of UK users on X has dropped by 19% over the past year. As of October, X had around 10 million users in Britain, while its competitors, Threads and Blue Sky, have far smaller user bases—4.5 million and 433,000, respectively. This decline raises questions about X’s future as a communication platform.
Government and Institutional Responses
While the British government still posts on X, it has reduced its paid advertising on the platform, shifting its ad spend to Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta. This shift reflects growing concerns over the platform’s viability under Musk’s leadership.
Cary Cooper, a professor of organizational psychology at Alliance Manchester Business School, believes many institutions remain attached to X due to their historical investment in the platform. “Institutions, just like individuals, get addicted,” Cooper said.
