In a significant move, Germany’s Ministry of Defense and the Bundeswehr announced on Wednesday their decision to suspend all activity on Platform X, formerly known as Twitter, owned by American billionaire Elon Musk. The ministry cited increasing difficulties in fostering “objective exchanges of arguments” on the platform as the key reason for their withdrawal.
Starting January 15, 2025, the Ministry of Defense will cease publishing posts on its X account. The suspension will also extend to the accounts of the Bundeswehr’s General Inspector and other senior military commanders.
“The Ministry of Defense will suspend its channel on Platform X as of January 15, 2025, and will no longer actively publish posts in the foreseeable future,” the ministry’s statement confirmed. In tandem, the Bundeswehr released its own statement announcing its departure, echoing the concerns raised by the ministry.
According to the ministry, the shift stems from their assessment that “objective argument exchanges on Platform X are becoming increasingly difficult.” To maintain communication with the public, the ministry plans to use alternative channels, notably WhatsApp, to share critical updates, ministerial decisions, and other essential information.
A Strategic Pivot to Alternative Platforms
Despite the exit from X, the Ministry of Defense emphasized that it will continue its presence on other social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, to ensure effective public communication. The ministry also reserved the right to respond on X in exceptional cases, particularly in instances involving disinformation campaigns.
This move comes amid broader scrutiny of Platform X in Europe. Recently, Members of the European Parliament urged the European Commission to investigate the platform’s post visibility algorithms. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Elon Musk may be manipulating the algorithm to boost the reach of his own posts, potentially violating EU regulations.
A Growing Trend of Skepticism Toward Platform X
Germany’s federal government is also reportedly considering stepping back from using X for official communications. Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit noted last week that concerns over the platform’s algorithms, which allegedly promote polarizing and violent opinions, are driving the discussion.