UK attorney general tells staff to stop using X amid disinformation concerns | X
UK Attorney General Richard Hermer has ordered his office to stop posting on X, making it the first UK government department to abandon the platform. The decision follows concerns over the site’s role in inciting racism and violence during recent unrest in Southampton and Belfast, according to reports.
Hermer’s office stopped posting on the Elon Musk-owned site on Friday. Officials may only use the platform now for the specific purpose of combatting disinformation, officials said.
Why did the Attorney General stop using X?
Hermer made the decision after disorder broke out in Southampton and Belfast earlier this month. He is reportedly worried that “bad actors” use X more than other platforms to divide communities, according to the source.
In Southampton, widespread violence left 11 police officers injured. The unrest involved people protesting the case of Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from a stab wound after his killer falsely claimed to police that the teenager had committed a racist assault.
Six days later, violence hit Belfast after far-right activists called for demonstrations. This followed a stabbing attack where a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee was charged with attempted murder. One Northern Irish MP described the resulting disorder as a “pogrom” after attackers targeted minority ethnic homes and questioned health workers about their backgrounds.
Hermer recently criticized social media platforms in a speech regarding Britain’s membership of the European convention on human rights. He stated, “We simply cannot let a very small group of crypto-funded millionaires of this world get away with using the debate about the ECHR or drawing closer to the EU to sow more division in this country.”
How does this differ from other government departments?
Downing Street has repeatedly defended other departments using X. Officials say the platform is necessary to reach the general public, despite the site being criticized for promoting racist and far-right opinions.
This defense persists even though the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, has called for the UK government to be overthrown. While Hermer understands why other departments remain on the site, he decided the risk was too high for his own office.
What happens next for social media regulation in the UK?
The government may take further regulatory steps through Ofcom, the media regulator. No 10 stated after the Belfast riots that any official action would be left to Ofcom, which is currently awaiting a first quarterly compliance report from X. That report isn’t due for at least two months.
Ministers plan to amend the Online Safety Act to force social media firms to remove inflammatory content more quickly during crises. These changes are unlikely to take effect until mid-July at the earliest.
Other restrictions are already moving forward. On Monday, Downing Street announced a ban on many social media sites for users under 16. Hermer is among the cabinet ministers who backed this ban, which follows a similar move in Australia.
Previously, Keir Starmer threatened to block X in the UK after its Grok AI tool produced sexualized images of women and children. X took action shortly after that threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Attorney General’s office the first to leave X?
Richard Hermer decided to stop posting due to concerns that the platform is being used by bad actors to incite racism, violence, and community division, specifically following unrest in Southampton and Belfast.
What is the current status of X’s regulation by Ofcom?
The government is leaving official reprimands to Ofcom. The regulator is waiting for a quarterly compliance report from X, which is not expected for at least two months.
When will the UK’s Online Safety Act be amended?
Ministers plan to require firms to remove inflammatory content faster during riots, but these amendments are not expected to take effect until at least mid-July.
Should government departments prioritize public reach or platform safety when choosing where to post?