Cornwall Council Drops X for Official Use
Cornwall council drops X after concerns about safety and values. Marazion Town Council has stopped using the platform for official business. The decision followed a full council meeting. Councillors passed the motion by a majority vote. As a result, the council will no longer use X to share updates. It will also stop engaging with residents on the platform.
Councillors said the move reflects community values. They highlighted tolerance, respect,
and inclusiveness as key reasons. Councillor Richard Stokoe proposed the motion. He said the platform no longer feels suitable for public bodies.
According to him, responsible organisations should avoid promoting themselves there. He added that the council does not want association with the site.
Concerns Over Platform Safety and Ethics
Stokoe raised concerns about harmful content. For example, he criticised racism, sexism, and misinformation on the platform.
He also mentioned recent controversy around Grok AI. In January, X said it would block illegal image manipulation in some regions. However, councillors felt that response was not enough. Therefore, they questioned the platform’s commitment to user safety.
Stokoe acknowledged free speech rights. Still, he said speech should happen on platforms that protect people.
He stressed concerns about exploitation without consent. This included serious worries involving women and children.
Marazion is not alone in this move.
Other councils across the UK have taken similar action. For instance, Devon County Council and Belfast City Council have stepped away. Southampton and Warwick councils also followed. Erewash Borough Council stopped using X earlier this year. It described the platform as unsafe. Marazion Town Council confirmed it contacted X for comment. At the time of reporting, no response was received. The council will now use alternative channels. These include websites, newsletters, and other social platforms.
