Why we’re giving up on X – and where we’re going
The past 12 months have been a rocky road for users of Twitter, now known as X. Since Elon Musk bought the platform in October 2022, there’s been a decline in moderation and functionality, an increase in hate speech and fake news, and a widespread feeling that it’s no longer fit for purpose.
All of these have led Global Action Plan to decide to explore alternative social media channels. We plan to dial down our presence on X (as long as we’re able to post without paying a subscription) and going forward, you’ll be able to find us here:
And the best way to stay in touch and up to date with our latest news is by signing up to our newsletter
We know that many organisations and individuals have the same misgivings about X, and are thinking about making the same move. For us, this is a decision that is guided by our values. Our work at the intersection of human and planetary health is driven by compassion. This is diametrically opposed to the way X is run.
Mis- and dis-information are increasing on X. There’s growing concern around geopolitical issues such as the Israel-Hamas war, which has seen a huge spike in fake posts as well as Islamophobia and antisemitism. More broadly, false and misleading information that leads to polarisation and division is a grave threat to effective climate action, as recognised by the UN.
Under a new ad-revenue sharing programme, X has started paying some of its more controversial users, including proponents of misogyny and hate speech. At the same time, transparency around ad content is decreasing, with ads that aren’t labelled as such and cannot be blocked or reported.
Our Online Climate work seeks to challenge the Big Tech business models that harm us and our planet. X has become the epitome of a toxic online space that undermines our ability to tackle climate change and damages our wellbeing.
As a charity, we may not have the influence of a multimillion-pound brand, but we do play a role in giving Elon Musk social licence to operate. We’re no longer comfortable doing that, so this is the start of our transition plan to leave X. If you’re also thinking about doing the same, come and find us on Mastodon or Bluesky – we’d love to talk.