Background

On 7 February 2026, the United Kingdom’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy publicly announced that the Culture Department would no longer use the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In her final post, Nandy warned that the platform “isn't healthy for our democracy or our communities and I don’t want to support it.” She described X as a space that now favours abuse and misinformation over meaningful debate.

The move marks the second government department to abandon X. Earlier, the Attorney General’s Office, led by Lord Hermer, had withdrawn from the platform, citing persistent racism and misogyny. Hermer told the Justice Committee that his department needed to engage in “serious, respectful debate” without the corrosive environment found on X.

Other members of Parliament have also left X, citing reports that the platform’s Grok AI tool was being used to create sexualised images, including of children. MPs such as Liberal Democrat Layla Moran, Vikki Slade, and Labour’s Darren Paffey expressed alarm over the misuse of AI, adding pressure on the platform to address harmful content.

The political backdrop is tense. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of weaponising the platform to “whip up division” in the wake of the murder of student Henry Nowak and the violent protests in Southampton over police conduct. The controversy surrounding X highlights the broader challenge of balancing free expression with the responsibility to curb misinformation and harmful content.

While Nandy affirmed she will continue to use other mainstream platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, her departure signals a growing governmental consensus that certain digital environments may no longer serve the public interest. The decision also reflects a broader push for social media platforms to adopt stricter moderation policies and greater transparency in AI usage.

Conclusion

Lisa Nandy’s exit from X underscores the increasing scrutiny of social media platforms that allow misinformation and abusive content to flourish. As more government bodies and public officials distance themselves from the platform, the pressure mounts on X to reform its policies and safeguard democratic discourse. The episode serves as a reminder that technology must be aligned with the values of truth, respect, and public welfare to remain a constructive part of modern society.