German universities and research institutions to leave platform X

More than 60 German-speaking universities and research institutions will cease their activities on the platform X (formerly Twitter), they announce on 10/01/2025 in a statement by the Federal Association of University Communication. The withdrawal results from the incompatibility of the platform's current orientation with the core values of the institutions involved: cosmopolitanism, scientific integrity, transparency, and democratic discourse.

They underline their commitment to fact-based communication and against anti-democratic forces. Some institutions that have already stopped their activities on X also support the joint appeal, thereby reaffirming the importance of an open and constructive culture of discussion.

They indicate their intention to follow future developments regarding X, but most organisations shift their communication towards increased use of BlueSky and/or LinkedIn.

“We've long been convinced that it's right and proper to be active on the X platform: to show our target groups and others the value of free, knowledge-based, fact-driven science, and thus contribute…