University of Würzburg Turns its Back on Platform X
01/10/2025In a joint campaign, German-speaking universities and research institutions are immediately cancelling their activities on the X platform (formerly Twitter) - including the University of Würzburg.
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) is suspending its activities on the X platform - formerly Twitter - with immediate effect. In doing so, the university is joining a joint campaign by over 60 German-speaking universities and research institutions. The move is a reaction to the development of the platform, which is no longer compatible with JMU's core values.
Specifically, the decision affects the university's official X account and does not constitute a directive to chairs, institutes, working groups or individuals. It is up to them to decide whether and how they wish to continue to operate on the platform.
The University of Würzburg continues to seek dialogue with the public, including via its other social media channels - and now for the first time on the Bluesky platform.
The joint press release of the participating institutions:
Universities and Research Institutions Leave Platform X (formerly Twitter): Together for Diversity, Freedom and Science
10 January 2025: More than 50 German-speaking universities and research institutions want to set an example and are jointly announcing that they are discontinuing their activities on Platform X (formerly Twitter). The withdrawal is due to the fact that the current direction of the platform is not compatible with the fundamental values of the participating institutions: Openness to the world, scientific integrity, transparency and democratic discourse.
The changes to Platform X - from the algorithmic amplification of right-wing populist content to the restriction of organic reach - make its continued use unjustifiable for the organisations involved. The withdrawal of the institutions emphasises their commitment to fact-based communication and against anti-democratic forces. The values that promote diversity, freedom and science are no longer present on the platform.
Some institutions that have already discontinued their activities on the platform also support the joint appeal and thus emphasise the importance of an open and constructive culture of discussion. This decision only affects the X accounts of the participating institutions and not their communication via other social media channels. In light of recent events, they will continue to closely monitor the development of the platforms and their algorithms.
Joint press release (in German) including a list of all participating institutions.
