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Many Universities Have Opted Out of X Due to The Proliferation of False Information

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Fake news

More than 60 universities and research institutions in Germany and Austria issued a joint statement announcing that they would stop using X (formerly Twitter), the social platform owned by American industrialist Musk. The statement stated that the current purpose of the X platform is incompatible with the basic values of scientific fairness and democratic speech of relevant institutions. After Musk’s acquisition, X’s algorithm was changed and right-wing populist information increased. At the same time, many higher education institutions in the UK, including well-known universities, are gradually withdrawing from the X social media platform helmed by Elon Musk. Behind this move are concerns about the platform’s inability to control the spread of false information and the deterioration of the platform environment.

The Trend of Public Institutions Withdrawing from The X Platform is Particularly Obvious

Many institutions have significantly reduced or completely ceased activity on the platform. Among them, many individual scholars have also chosen to leave. Respondent schools generally reported that the proliferation of false information, rampant violent content, and sharp decline in user interaction were the main reasons for their decision to withdraw. Take London Business School as an example. As one of the world’s top business schools, the school has not published any content on the X platform since September last year, although its account still has 182,000 loyal fans. The college said it is constantly evaluating the effectiveness of communication channels and making platform choices based on feedback from interactions with its audience.

The trend of public institutions withdrawing from the X platform is particularly obvious, although some universities still maintain regular content updates. The situation at the University of Cambridge is quite representative. At least 7 of its 31 colleges have suspended the release of information on X. Hammerton College, one of the largest colleges in Cambridge, has been outspoken about its concerns about the X platform environment and revealed that it is looking for an alternative platform. As for Oxford University, Merton College has quietly deleted its X account, while Harris Manchester College issued a farewell message in November last year, directing fans to other social platforms. The University of East Anglia revealed that their audience interaction on the X platform has plummeted to 20% of the original level. Falmouth University has not published new content on X since September last year, and Plymouth Maron University directly announced that it would abandon the platform. London City University also stopped actively posting due to low participation, and the new Buckingham University even bluntly stated that the X platform is no longer an ideal place to promote dialogue between the school and students.

Musk and X platform

60 Universities from Germany and Austria Withdraw from X

German and Austrian academic institutions said in a joint statement on January 10 that X’s algorithm amplified right-wing populist content. Under the cloak of so-called freedom of speech, the door to hatred, false information and manipulation has been opened, and the withdrawal highlighted Their commitment to fact-based communication, saying values ​​that promote diversity, freedom and science, no longer exist on the platform.

Academic institutions that signed the above statement include Humboldt University Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Dusseldorf, University of Heidelberg, University of Münster, RWTH Aachen University, German Ornithologists Association and more than 60 German academic institutions, and 2 universities in Innsbruck, Austria. This follows the withdrawal of other major European research institutions, including the Netherlands Research Council and the University of Paris-Saclay. Frankfurt’s Goethe University said that since Musk acquired X, the platform’s algorithm has been rigged to favor content consistent with Musk’s worldview. X has evolved from a social platform for constructive communication to a tool for spreading false information.

In 2022, Musk acquired the platform and subsequently laid off about 80% of its employees, including members of the content moderation team. Some researchers have said that X has become a haven for misinformation. Musk responded in 2023 that the changes were necessary given the platform’s poor financial condition before its acquisition. Musk insists that he is an “absolute free speech advocate” and is tolerant of content on X.

Goethe University Frankfurt and others further stated that it is not easy to spread science, facts and fact-based information on other social networks. For anyone involved in science communication, dealing meaningfully with its mechanisms is an everyday challenge. However, on social networks such as LinkedIn or Instagram, they can meet this challenge through reasoned, fact-based content. Relevant academic institutions stated that they will retain their accounts on X, but will not publish new content to prevent these accounts from being abused, and will consider whether to join other social platforms such as Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads.

Musk Backs German Far-right Party

Prior to the action by these academic institutions, Musk expressed support for the Alternative for Germany party, which has been criticized by German political circles for trying to interfere in the February 23 election. On January 9, Musk connected with Weidel, the candidate for prime minister of the German Alternative for Germany Party, on X. Musk praised the Alternative for Germany party during the connection, and the conversation with Weidel covered political topics such as energy policy, education, reducing German bureaucracy, preventing illegal immigration, and how to resolve the conflicts between Palestine, Israel, and Russia-Ukraine.

According to Musk, “If you’re not happy with the status quo, you have to vote for change. That’s why I strongly recommend that people vote for the Alternative for Germany, I think it’s a smart move.” Musk also said, “Only The AfD can save Germany. I just want to make this clear, as simple as that, otherwise the situation in Germany will get very, very bad.”

Germany’s first general election poll of 2025 released on January 6 showed that the Alternative for Germany ranked second, reaching 21.5%. The Alternative for Germany holds strong anti-immigration and anti-European integration views and is considered a right-wing “extremist organization” by German intelligence agencies. Germany’s federal network agency has said that it will monitor whether the algorithm on X has been manipulated before and after the connection.

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