Council quits X over "disinformation" and "high levels of abuse" of staff

Devon County Council has said it no longer monitors its X account because the social media website has become a "very toxic place" with high levels of abuse and disinformation.

In response to a question during a full council meeting, Cllr Andrew Saywell, the Cabinet Member for Organisational Development, Workforce & Digital Transformation, also said high subscription costs were a factor in the decision.

Cllr Saywell said staff faced "daily abuse" on X and complained that the reporting system is "not fit for service".

He added: "Hundreds of previously banned accounts for spreading hate and disinformation were reinstated under the new owner, and an European Commission study suggested X has the biggest proportion of disinformation of the six big social networks."

Commenting further on using X, he said: "Staff received high levels of abuse and exceptionally inappropriate and offensive material was submitted to the council.

"This of course has a significant impact on the staff who received such communications."

The local authority, which has 52,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, chose to step away from the platform in January.

The account has been left 'dormant' meaning the council can return at any time, with staff now focussing on platforms with "good engagement" such as Facebook (34k followers), Instagram (6k followers), LinkedIn (23k followers) and new WhatsApp Channel (currently 332 followers).

The council also has a digital newsletter, which reaches around 100,000 subscribers on a weekly basis.

X has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey