Germany’s defence ministry announced on Wednesday that it will suspend all proactive activities on social media platform X, citing concerns over the platform’s role in spreading disinformation under its owner, Elon Musk.
In a statement, the ministry expressed its decision to halt postings on X “for the foreseeable future,” emphasizing the increasing difficulty in conducting fact-based discussions on the platform. This move follows similar actions by other public institutions in Germany, reflecting a growing trend of disengagement from X.
The suspension by the defence ministry underscores broader institutional concerns regarding X’s alignment with democratic values and the integrity of information. Last week, over 60 German universities declared their withdrawal from the platform, highlighting its divergence from principles such as openness, scientific integrity, transparency, and democratic discourse.
While announcing the suspension, the ministry clarified that it retains the option to respond to instances of disinformation on X as necessary. Going forward, it plans to utilize WhatsApp, owned by Meta, a competing US tech company, as an alternative channel to proactively share information with the public.
This decision comes amidst ongoing global scrutiny of social media platforms and their influence on public discourse and information dissemination. The German defence ministry’s actions reflect a strategic response to safeguarding information integrity and fostering responsible communication channels in the digital age.
For now, the ministry’s suspension on X stands as a significant step in navigating the evolving landscape of digital platforms and their impact on societal dialogue and governance.
