the revolt of higher education establishments against X (ex-Twitter) is growing

The IUT Paul Sabatier in Toulouse announced on June 26, 2024 the suspension of its account on the social network Jaurès. The establishment denounces the hateful remarks and pornographic content which pollute the network.

Little by little, many are turning away from the social network X (formerly Twitter) taken over by Elon Musk. Individuals, associations, journalists but also higher education educational establishments. Latest: IUT Paul Sabatier in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne).

The press release is dated June 26, 2024. “We wanted to inform you that given the persistent abuses of the social network “Our place in higher education is no longer on this network.”

Internet users will still be able to follow the activities of the IUT on other social networks. An approach that follows others. On March 15, 2024, the University of Toulouse II Jean Jaurès did the same.

In September 2023, Science Po Toulouse launched the trend. “The observed evolution of this social network today fuels the legitimate concern of the establishment with regard to its constant commitment against all forms of discrimination, violence, disinformation. The recent withdrawal of this social network from the European code of good practices against disinformation and the end of blocking functionality motivate this choice.”

A groundswell which highlights the excesses of the network in a somewhat turbulent period in France.

Created in 2015, the Canévet et Associés agency supports public institutions, companies and their managers on issues of communication, content influence and management. An action carried out with stakeholders in higher education and research, health, town planning and even communities. She asks the question: higher education and Twitter/X, should we leave?

Since the takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk in October 2022, it has created trouble among higher education establishments. The first to leave the new constellation X was the University of Rennes 2 in August 2023, closely followed by Science Po Toulouse. If this establishment has deleted its account, for others it is often a “freeze” or “put on standby” but the account persists.

For many, the reasons for temporary or permanent departure revolve around non-compliance with the “Digital Service Act”. This European regulation on digital services aims to protect European citizens in terms of freedom of expression, consumer rights and strengthen democratic control of the internet, for example by preventing the manipulation of information. However, Elon Musk has decided to ignore this text.

The subject is all the more crucial for these establishments which teach students and carry out research. The Canévet agency analyzes the different points of view on its site. Should morality prevail (withdraw) or does the end justify the means (disclose one’s knowledge on the networks)? “Those who wanted to leave Twitter proposed as a substitute to turn to Mastodon, considered more virtuous (decentralization, open source, respectful of personal life, etc.). In return for which, the proponents of the ethics of responsibility do not do not fail to point out that Mastodon does not, as it stands, have a community as large as Twitter, and that it therefore does not satisfactorily achieve the objective pursued.”

The debate is underway and other establishments should soon take a position. In any case it would also be a great subject for the next philosophy baccalaureates.