UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has announced that she and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will stop using X, arguing that the Elon Musk-owned platform no longer supports constructive public debate.
Nandy said the social media network, originally created as a place for open discussion and expression, has shifted toward promoting abuse, misinformation and harmful content. She added that she does not want to support a platform she believes negatively affects democracy and communities.
The decision makes DCMS one of the most high-profile UK government departments to leave X. It follows a similar move from Attorney General Richard Hermer’s office, which also stepped away from the platform amid concerns over online hostility, extremist content and misinformation.
Nandy’s departure comes during a period of increased scrutiny of X in the UK and internationally. Regulators and politicians have raised concerns about online safety, content moderation and the spread of misleading information, including issues connected to AI-generated material.
The move is particularly notable because DCMS oversees areas linked to media, technology and digital policy. While the department is leaving X, Nandy said she will continue communicating through other social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
X owner Elon Musk has repeatedly defended the platform’s approach, arguing in favour of free expression and criticising some government efforts to regulate online content. However, pressure on major technology platforms continues to grow as governments seek stronger safeguards against harmful online activity.