Digital Strategy Shift: UK Universities Quit X for Safer Communication

Universities Seek Alternatives as X Faces Criticism for Fuelling Misinformation

UK universities, along with other British institutions, have been reported to be distancing themselves from Elon Musk’s X due to concerns over the increasing spread of misinformation on the platform. According to a survey conducted by Reuters in early 2025, numerous prominent universities, colleges, and art conservatoires have either quit or significantly reduced their activity on X, which was formerly known as Twitter. The survey focused on 150 official accounts, particularly those that showed little or no recent activity.

Several prominent UK institutions are scaling back their presence on X due to growing concerns over misinformation. London Business School, Falmouth University, and Plymouth Marjon University ceased their activities on the platform in September 2024. Additionally, at least seven of the University of Cambridge's 31 colleges, including Homerton College, have stopped posting, citing the platform's increasingly toxic environment and the need to explore alternatives.

Prominent arts institutions are also following this trend. London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance deleted its X account, and the Royal Central School of Drama and Speech has been inactive since August 2024. This reflects a broader movement, with Devon County Council suspending its account in January 2024, and North Wales Police and The Guardian ceasing operations on X last year. Most organizations cited the increasing prevalence of misinformation on the platform as the primary reason for their decisions. Since Musk acquired X in 2022, content regulation has been largely replaced by Community Notes, a user-led fact-checking system. A September 2023 study by TrustLab found that X had the highest proportion of misinformation among major social media platforms.

Concerns over misinformation escalated last summer when X was criticized for allegedly fuelling anti-immigration protests and riots. Civil unrest spread to several UK cities in July and August after a post on X incorrectly identified a murder suspect as "a Muslim immigrant." Some universities, like the University of East Anglia and London Metropolitan University, also cited declining engagement as a reason for their withdrawal from the platform.

Despite the trend, many UK universities remain active on X. Cambridge University's main account posted 33 times since the start of 2025, and the official @uniofwarwick account, with 94.7 thousand followers, continued posting this year. However, Warwick’s Politics and International Studies Department quit the platform in December, citing X as "no longer a safe space for our community." Meta's recent decision to replace independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram raises questions about where UK universities might turn for reliable alternatives.
The withdrawal of UK universities and institutions from X underlines a critical shift in their digital strategy due to ongoing concerns over misinformation. Looking for safer communication can reshape the relationship between educational institutions and social media, driving ongoing adaptation in the quest for secure and reliable digital spaces.

Editor's Note:

The recent trend of UK universities and institutions leaving X highlights their growing concern about the spread of false information on social media. These organizations are looking for safer and more reliable ways to communicate. This change is important because it emphasizes the need to create secure online spaces for educational and professional communities.

Skoobuzz sees this as a necessary step towards ensuring trustworthy and safe information sharing.