The inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States on Monday January 20 did not slow down this wave of departures initiated several weeks ago in France and around the world. On the contrary, many personalities including the Departmental Council of Gers or Toulouse's Christophe Cassou, took advantage of this day to deactivate their account on X (formerly Twitter). But why leave this network and its 619 million users?
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Between France and the social network X (formerly Twitter), it's the end of a love story.
However, since 2006, the French have favored the American platform for its level of information and the presence of numerous journalists. At the end of 2023, X was the 5th most used social network in France (11th globally) with nearly 12 million active users.
Before permanently closing his X account on January 21, 2025, the Gers Departmental Council published this photo.
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© Gers Departmental Council
But there you go. The takeover of Twitter by billionaire Elon Musk in October 2022, followed by a new algorithm lacking moderation, transforms the network into a hub of disinformation.
Despite the criticism, its owner is staying the course. His recent appointment in the Trump government is the straw that broke the camel's back.
A disenchantment shared by Philippe Dupouy, socialist president of the Gers Departmental Council. This Monday, January 20, 2025, he announces that he and the institution are closing their X account. To date, it is the only department in Occitanie to have made such a decision.
We believe that freedom of expression should not be used to normalize far-right discourse or allow individuals with anti-democratic positions to redefine the norms of public discussion.
Philippe DupouyPS President of the Gers Departmental Council
“This withdrawal is a declaration in favor of responsible and ethical use of social networks, in the service of progressive values and a fairer society. continues the chosen one.
Same story for the EELV deputy for Haute-Garonne, Christine Arrighi. “I'm leaving X. The social network has become a vector of disinformation and hatred online”, she wrote in her last tweet.
-The unions also declare their virtual death on X.
Like the SNES-FSU of Toulouse, one of the main unions in National Education. Two weeks earlier, the CGT of Airbus aviation had taken the same path.
As for environmental defenders, many organizations in Occitania have decided to leave.
This is the case of the FNE of Midi-Pyrénées (National Environment Federation),Extinction Rebellion Toulouse or even La Voix est Libre (association fighting against the A69).
Climatologists are also wondering. But for Toulouse Christophe Cassou (IPCC rapporteur), the decision has been made.
This migration obviously benefits other social networks and especially Bluesky. Designed by Jack Dorsey (founder of Twitter), the platform experienced unexpected growth, going from 3 to 26 million users in the space of a year.
Resistance fighters?
Despite the number of account closures, this wave of departures does not yet threaten the empire of X. Especially since some prefer to stay.
Example with Michel Gabas, marea of Eauze and departmental councilor of Gers who instead chooses to reopen his account
“Those who claim freedom of expression (“I am Charlie” all the time) are the first censors when ideas do not correspond to them“, he explains on the networks.
Same opinion for Fred Bonnet, Tarn departmental coordinator of the political party “Oser la France”, classified as very right-wing. On X, he calls on researcher Christophe Cassou.
“Seriously, it's not serious to leave X… Meta has decided to align itself with the reality which consists of freedom of expression! To controversy and intellectual exchange! All your so-called platforms or you will find yourself in a small community where everyone will think like you“, he wrote on January 11.
Beyond political ideas, content creators on X also question their online presence. For the Toulouse influencer specializing in Tech, Fabien Prévost, it is difficult to leave his 41,000 subscribers.
