Over 60 German universities and research institutions have announced their departure from the social media platform X, citing the platform’s growing incompatibility with their core values. They voiced concerns about X’s recent changes, including the amplification of right-wing populist content and restricted organic reach, making continued use untenable.

Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022, institutions like Goethe University in Frankfurt have reported a steady decline in the platform’s reach and engagement. They argue that the algorithm now favors content aligning with Musk’s worldview, compromising the platform’s neutrality and trustworthiness.

Among the universities leaving are the Free University of Berlin, RWTH Aachen, and Heidelberg University, following the steps of major European organizations such as the Dutch Research Council and Paris-Saclay University. The institutions emphasized their commitment to fact-based communication and rejected the platform’s association with anti-democratic forces.

Goethe University stressed the need for an environment conducive to democratic discourse, transparency, and respect for diversity, which it no longer finds on X. While the institutions will leave their accounts active to prevent misuse, they are exploring other platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, or Threads, though they acknowledge the challenges of fostering fact-based communication on any social network.