Today we have taken the decision to leave X after 14 years on the platform. When we joined, it was a relatively safe and positive place to be. The conversations we took part in and helped facilitate enabled positive change and got people talking about important social topics. Sadly, today it is just not the same online space.
Kelly Evans, Chief Executive said: “It is our view that the platform is increasingly being used to spread misinformation, fake news and extremist propaganda. It also allows for ongoing misogyny and threats of violence against women which makes exiting this platform very easy for us. It is incompatible with our company values and way of life”.
In the last week, the “creepy” comments from owner Elon Musk towards singer Taylor Swift and the decision to no longer allow users to flag potentially misleading information or fake news, made the decision to pull the plug easy. He has also removed blocks from controversial conspiracy theorists and extremists who had been banned under the platform’s previous rules.
Kelly continued: “We believe in free speech - not hate speech. It is a shame that someone who owns one of the largest social media channels in the world does not understand that constructive free speech comes with responsibility”.
“Social Media platforms can be a place for community and positive engagement and interaction but it is my experience that X has become quite vile in recent years, and who wants to stay in a vile place?
“Exiting the platform is something we would encourage people and other purpose-driven businesses and brands to do because if enough people take a stand, we will force positive change. We hope to see our followers instead on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn”
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