In a context where polarization and the exploitation of social networks are reaching unprecedented levels, a group of scholars and activists has launched the movement ‘Hello quits X’. This collective invites users of the famous social network X to deactivate their accounts on the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration, in a powerful symbolic act. The goal is to denounce the drift of the platform under the influence of Elon Musk and to encourage reflection on freedom of expression and the health of social networks in our contemporary societies.
A reaction to a troubling transformation
Elon Musk’s takeover of X has raised serious concerns among observers, particularly due to his radical vision of freedom of expression. Many analysts, such as Nicolas Pettiaux, highlight a growing interventionism that could have insidious consequences on moderation and the safety of the content being shared. Unsolicited diatribes and uninvited interventions raise genuine fears about the very nature of the digital public space.
A movement for awareness
In response to this dynamic, the collective ‘Hello quits X’ is dedicated to informing the public about the issues surrounding X. As noted by David Chavalarias, a member of the CNRS, the goal is to raise awareness among a broad audience about the dangers of a platform that has become an instrument of misinformation. The initiative is materialized by the creation of a multilingual platform, offering educational resources and answers to user inquiries regarding the implications of their presence on X.
The fear of losing one’s community
Despite the emergence of this movement, one fact remains: a large number of users hesitate to leave X due to the emotional and professional ties woven over the years. This makes the path to deactivating their accounts all the more difficult. David Chavalarias explains that many people are reluctant to the idea of rebuilding their networks elsewhere, highlighting the difficulty of a solitary departure.
A collective transfer tool to facilitate migration
To address this situation, the collective ‘Hello quits X’ has designed a data transfer tool. This tool, expected on January 20th, will allow users to automatically transfer their subscriptions to other social networks such as Mastodon or Bluesky. By gathering the information of a large number of users, this tool promises to facilitate a collective migration to platforms perceived as more respectful of freedom of expression.
The choice of the future social network
When it comes to choosing an alternative to X, users must ask themselves questions about the types of platforms available. Mastodon, for example, offers a decentralized model, which makes it less vulnerable to the influence of a single actor. In contrast, Bluesky is based on a partially decentralized structure, which may raise questions about its long-term independence.
A political action or a matter of personal choice?
While some may view the initiative ‘Hello quits X’ as a political action, the members of the collective assert that it is not a partisan movement. On the contrary, it aims to be a call to restore choice to users, encouraging them to reflect on the role they play in the landscape of social networks. For them, the important thing is to liberate oneself from a manipulative use of social networks by figures like Elon Musk.
The strategy of RTBF in response to X
In parallel with this movement, institutions like RTBF are adopting similar strategies by reducing their presence on X. Currently, only the RTBF Info account remains active, while other accounts are put on hold. This withdrawal also highlights a moment on the necessity to move towards more responsible networks, such as Bluesky, where RTBF has also taken the step of creating several official accounts.
