UK Universities Withdraw from Musk’s X Platform Over Misinformation Concerns”

January 9, 2025 – According to a report by Reuters, universities and other higher education institutions in the UK are withdrawing from Elon Musk’s social media platform X due to its role in spreading misinformation.

A Reuters survey conducted on Tuesday local time revealed that many universities have significantly reduced or completely stopped using the X platform, and numerous scholars have also departed from it. The news agency investigated X accounts from over 150 universities and art schools, contacting those that had barely published any content recently. They indicated that the primary reasons for withdrawing from X include the proliferation of false information, dissemination of violent content, and a decline in engagement on the platform.

London Business School, which last posted on X in September and boasts 182,000 followers, stated, “London Business School continuously reviews its communication channels and selects appropriate platforms based on interaction effectiveness with its audience.” The institution is globally ranked among the top business schools.

The survey further uncovered an expanding trend of public institutions withdrawing from X, although several universities still regularly publish content.

Among Cambridge University’s 31 colleges, at least seven have halted content publication on X. “We are aware of the deteriorating state of the X platform, and we will continue to evaluate whether to continue using X while keeping an eye on emerging alternative platforms,” stated Hamerton College, the largest college at Cambridge University. Cambridge University clarified that it still utilizes the X platform but also incorporates other communication channels.

Merton College at Oxford University has deleted its X account and did not respond to requests for comment. Harris Manchester College, another Oxford institution, posted its last message on November 15th of last year, urging followers to migrate to other platforms.

The University of East Anglia reported an 80% decline in audience engagement on X.

Falmouth University published its final post in September of last year, while Plymouth Marjon University announced it would no longer use the X platform. London Metropolitan University halted active posting due to decreasing participation.

Buckinghamshire New University declared that X “is no longer a place where we encourage dialogue with the school.”

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