Over 60 German Universities Abandon X Over Ethical Concerns

Citing the platform's promotion of misinformation and extremist content, academic institutions shift focus to alternative communication channels.

More than 60 German universities and research institutions have announced their withdrawal from X, formerly Twitter, due to its perceived incompatibility with values like transparency, scientific integrity, and democratic discourse.
The decision follows growing dissatisfaction with X's algorithm, which critics claim amplifies right-wing populist content and suppresses diverse viewpoints.
Elon Musk's recent live discussion with AfD leader Alice Weidel, seen as endorsing the far-right party, has intensified concerns about the platform's political influence ahead of Germany's February elections.
The joint withdrawal aims to promote fact-based communication and reject platforms fostering hate speech, disinformation, and anti-democratic narratives.
Despite leaving X, institutions plan to maintain communication through other channels like LinkedIn and Instagram, though some are questioning the broader role of social media in academic outreach.