WARWICK District Council has ditched social media platform X – formerly known as Twitter.
Councilors confirmed the immediate suspension at a meeting on Thursday (November 2&) following increasing safety concerns since the world’s richest man Elon Musk bought the platform three years ago.
WDC cite the abolishing of the platform’s Child Safety team, meaning content cannot be checked for child abuse, grooming and self-harm, together with Musk himself using the platform to promote his own views and support extreme right-wing groups in both the UK and US.
The marketing and communications team will no longer use that channel to promote the council’s news or respond to comments or questions.
A motion was approved at a WDC meeting on October 1 which requested the council disassociate itself from X and to suspend all use of it immediately. It also asked WDC’s leader to write to local MPs to urge Government to do the same.
A post will be pinned to redirect its 12,000 followers to visit their other social media channels for news and information and to share their feedback on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, BlueSky, Threads and Nextdoor.
In addition, the council regularly updates its website, issues newsletters and has its own App which will be reviewed as an alternative to using X for time sensitive communications.
Other neighbouring councils in Rugby and Solihull have recently left X.
WDC spokesperson Coun Rebecca Davidson said: “I do think the time is right for the council to remove itself from X, councillors have become increasingly concerned about the nature of the controversial content shared on the platform and its use in spreading
misinformation and inciting action.
“It no longer wants to be associated with that type of content and will be joining our neighbouring councils in Solihull and Rugby who have already left the platform.
“The council has a strong following of residents across all its social media platforms, and we will continue to use those channels to ensure that we are updating our residents with our latest news and encouraging their feedback. The marketing and communications team is already investigating new opportunities, such as WhatsApp groups, text messaging and our own App, as well as embracing the possibilities of artificial intelligence to continue to improve our communications.”
