Police forces have stopped using Elon Musk‘s X social media platform amid concerns about misinformation.
X, formerly named Twitter before Musk’s takeover in 2022, was used to spread false information that sparked riots across Britain this summer.
The app has also reinstated British based accounts that were previously banned for extremist content.
Musk’s comment in August that civil war in Britain was ‘inevitable’ drew rebukes from Downing Street and police leaders.
Critics argue that Musk’s approach fosters hate speech, although the businessman said he is defending free speech and branded Britain a ‘police state’.
North Wales Police stopped posting on X in October, it was reported, while other forces are moving in the same direction, according to a new survey carried out by Reuters.
The survey visually monitored posts on X from 44 territorial police and British Transport Police over the three months to November 13, focusing on those that had noticeably fewer posts, comparing their output to a year previously.
West Midlands Police, one of Britain’s biggest police forces, reduced its X posts by around 95 per cent in that period.
X, formerly named Twitter before Elon Musk’s takeover in 2022, was used to spread false information that sparked riots across Britain this summer
Lancashire Police, in the north of England, cut its usage of X by around three-quarters compared with a year ago.
‘We understand that, as the digital landscape changes, so too does our audiences’ channels of choice,’ the force said.
Meanwhile, Derbyshire Police – which serves around a million people in central England – made its last original post on August 12 and has responded only to queries since. The force said it was reviewing its social media presence.
Other forces explained X was still useful for updates on incidents such as road closures, but platforms including Facebook and Instagram were better for reaching communities.
X had just over 10 million British app users in October, compared with 4.5 million for Threads and 433,000 for Blue Sky, according to data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb.
But usage is decreasing, with X’s British app users down 19 per cent on a year ago, Similarweb data showed.
Many British police forces are moving in the direction of no longer using X
The government still posts on the platform but does not use it for paid communications. Pictured: Prime Minister Keir Starmer on November 21
The government still posts on the platform but does not use it for paid communications.
Several famous organisations, including the Guardian and non-profit Centre for Countering Digital Hate, have stopped using X due to concerns over its content.
Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Alliance Manchester Business School, said many institutions were concerned about Musk’s power over the platform.
Cooper told Reuters: ‘Institutions, just like individuals, get addicted. They invested in it over a period of time.’
North Wales Police is the only force to officially quit X completely.
‘As X was no longer an effective communication medium, this change hasn’t affected our abilities to reach our communities,’ it said.
MailOnline has contacted X for comment.