Jan 10, 2025
Universities and research institutions leave Platform X: United for diversity, freedom and science
Over 60 German-speaking universities and research institutions have decided to take a stand and collectively announce their decision to cease activities on Platform X (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2025. This withdrawal comes in response to the platform's current direction, which is incompatible with the core values of the participating institutions: openness to the world, scientific integrity, transparency, and democratic discourse.
The changes on Platform X – from algorithmic amplification of right-wing populist content to the restriction of organic reach – make its continued use unjustifiable for the organisations involved. By leaving, these institutions reaffirm their commitment to fact-based communication and opposition to anti-democratic forces. The values that promote diversity, freedom and science are no longer upheld on the platform.
Several institutions that had already ceased their activities on the platform are also supporting this joint appeal and thus reaffirm the importance of an open and constructive culture of discussion. This decision only affects the X accounts of the participating institutions and not their communication via other social media channels. In light of recent events, they will continue to closely monitor the development of the platforms and their algorithms.
A current overview of TU Dresden's social media channels can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/newsportal/social-media