A popular European football club and a media giant are the latest in a growing list of organizations to abandon X. The reason? Growing concerns over hate speech and disinformation.
FC St. Pauli’s recent exit from X (formerly known as Twitter) signals growing frustration with the platform’s inability—or unwillingness—to address harmful content.
The German football club, known for its progressive stance on social issues, accused Elon Musk of transforming X into a breeding ground for hate and conspiracy theories. The club noted its concerns over the platform’s potential influence on Germany’s upcoming parliamentary elections set to take place in February.
FC St. Pauli’s Stand Against Hate
With 250,000 followers, FC St. Pauli joined X in 2013, initially using the platform to engage fans. However, Musk’s ownership, marked by a laissez-faire approach to content moderation, shifted the narrative. The club cited rising racism and unchecked conspiracy theories as key reasons for its decision to withdraw.
“The space for debate has turned into an amplifier of hate,” the club stated, showcasing X’s role in shaping divisive public discourse. The account, while inactive moving forward, will remain online as a historical archive. FC St. Pauli has urged followers to migrate to BlueSky, a decentralized social media platform that promotes diversity and inclusion.
The Guardian Joins the Abandon X Movement
Joining the exodus, The Guardian announced its departure from X, citing similar concerns about hate speech and far-right conspiracies. With over 27 million followers across 80 accounts, the decision underscores significant discontent from media organizations.
“We’ve observed disturbing content, including racism and far-right conspiracy theories, for a while,” The Guardian explained, adding that X’s coverage of the U.S. presidential election solidified its choice.
Although its official accounts will go silent, individual reporters can continue using the platform under existing social media guidelines. The organization also reassured readers that articles could still be shared on X.
BlueSky as an Alternative
Organizations like FC St. Pauli are pointing users toward BlueSky as a safer, community-focused alternative. BlueSky operates on a decentralized model, meaning it isn’t controlled by a single entity. This approach gives users greater control over content moderation and ensures no overarching authority influences public discourse.
BlueSky, which emerged from Twitter’s former CEO Jack Dorsey’s vision, uses the AT Protocol to foster interoperability and transparency. It allows users to customize their social experience, curating feeds based on their interests while minimizing exposure to hate speech and misinformation. Although still in its beta phase, BlueSky has attracted users seeking refuge from platforms like X, where harmful content has grown pervasive.
Growing Criticism of Musk
Musk’s self-proclaimed “free speech absolutism” has drawn sharp criticism from anti-hate groups and the European Union. Under his leadership, X reinstated controversial figures such as conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and far-right activist Tommy Robinson, sparking global outrage.
Musk’s recent appointment as the head of a U.S. government efficiency effort by President-elect Donald Trump further exacerbates concerns about X’s role in political propaganda. Critics argue that the platform risks becoming a tool to amplify far-right ideologies, particularly during sensitive election periods. New revelations of election misinformation spread by a Musk-funded super PAC will only exacerbate those concerns.
Industry Reactions
FC St. Pauli and The Guardian are not alone in their departure. This year, several institutions, including NPR, PBS, and the Berlin Film Festival, have left X, citing the platform’s failure to curb hate speech and uphold values of inclusivity.
North Wales Police also stopped using X, citing ethical misalignment, while the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital left due to an “increased volume of hate speech.”
Despite these exits, some argue the platform remains indispensable for real-time news. Socialdatabase founder Thomas Slabbers tweeted, “There’s no news without X,” highlighting its continued relevance in journalism.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino dismissed concerns, claiming record-high user engagement under her leadership. “You will always have a place to engage freely and safely,” she tweeted. Musk, on the other hand, labeled The Guardian a “laboriously vile propaganda machine.”
Advertisers Return Amid Controversy
In a surprising twist, major corporations like IBM, Disney, and Warner Bros have resumed advertising on X after a year-long boycott. The shift reflects efforts to rebuild trust under Yaccarino’s leadership. However, it raises questions about corporate ethics in the face of rising hate speech on the platform.
A Divided Digital Landscape
As more organizations leave X, the platform faces an identity crisis. Is it a space for free speech, or a tool for amplifying harmful ideologies? The exits of prominent entities like FC St. Pauli and The Guardian suggest the latter, signaling a call for accountability in social media governance.
BlueSky’s rising popularity signals a desire for decentralized platforms where user control takes precedence. While still developing, it offers a promising alternative to X’s increasingly polarizing ecosystem.
For now, the digital landscape remains divided, reflecting a larger societal debate about free speech, responsibility, and the future of online discourse.