Universities, councils, and charities are leaving social media platform X amid rising concerns over hate speech, misinformation, and AI-generated content controversies.
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| The exodus of universities, councils, and charities from X highlights growing concerns over platform safety, inclusivity, and content moderation policies. Image: CH |
Tech Desk — February 23, 2026
A growing number of organizations are reevaluating their presence on social media platform X, with universities, city councils, and charities increasingly deciding to limit or suspend use. This trend follows a series of controversies, including issues with the AI-based tool ‘Grok’, which has been accused of generating distorted or misleading images of real people.
The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) suspended activity on X in March, citing rising levels of hate speech, misogynistic comments, and misinformation. Chief executive Celine McStrawwick described the platform as no longer compliant with the organization’s policies, noting that while Twitter once facilitated effective communication, the environment has shifted drastically over the past two years.
Following NICVA, the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland left X in May. Representative David Kennedy highlighted the prevalence of offensive comments, particularly derogatory language targeting the LGBTQ community and new immigrants, as a key factor in their departure.
Belfast City Council recently approved a proposal to suspend the platform pending the outcome of an Ofcom review into Grok AI supervision. Green Party councillor Brian Smith emphasised that user safety, especially for women, should take precedence over profit.
Dublin City Council halted X activity in January, while the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced the closure of district-level X accounts following an internal assessment of usage and engagement. Queen’s University Belfast also cited the need to operate on a platform that is “respectful and inclusive,” highlighting how the social environment on X has deteriorated in recent years.
These departures follow the 2022 acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk for $44 billion, after which the platform was rebranded as X. Critics argue that the loosening of content controls has contributed to an increase in hate speech and offensive content, raising questions about the platform’s ability to maintain a safe and responsible environment.
The lack of immediate response from X has not slowed the exodus. Observers note that the continuous departure of prominent institutions may signal more than a temporary phase of change — it could reflect a long-term decline in the platform’s role as a trusted communication channel.
As organizations prioritize safety, inclusivity, and accountability, X faces mounting pressure to restore confidence among institutional users. Whether this marks a lasting shift in social media engagement or a temporary adjustment remains uncertain, but the message from departing institutions is clear: content moderation and platform culture are now pivotal to sustaining trust.