Paris Mayor Calls Elon Musk's X A 'Global Sewer' And An 'Impressive Tool For Destroying Our Democracies'

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has publicly declared her departure from the popular social media platform X, formerly Twitter, arguing that it poses a significant threat to democratic principles and calling it a “global sewer”.

What Happened: Hidalgo shared her decision to quit X in an opinion piece published in Le Monde on Sunday. She decried the platform’s growing misuse, stating that it has strayed significantly from its original mission of democratizing information.

Why I am leaving Twitter.

I have made the decision to leave Twitter.

Twitter, far from being the groundbreaking medium that initially made information accessible to the greatest possible number of people, has in recent years become an impressive tool for destroying our… pic.twitter.com/3CcHQVnz5p

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) November 27, 2023

Currently under the ownership of billionaire Elon Musk, X, in Hidalgo’s view, plays a significant role in undermining democracies worldwide. Her concerns include the platform’s facilitation of hate speech, harassment, and the dissemination of misinformation, with those advocating for science, women’s rights, the environment, and liberal causes often being the primary targets.

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Moreover, Hidalgo took issue with X’s algorithm, which she believes prioritizes ‘likes’ over factual information, thereby fueling conflicts and driving wedges in societies.

She argued that X actively obstructs the dissemination of crucial information related to ecological and energy transformations, instead favoring arguments put forth by interests tied to the fossil fuel industry.

Based on a recent transparency report from X, France tops the list in Europe for violent and illicit content shared on the platform. Hidalgo referred to X as a “global sewer” and questioned the rationality of its continued usage.

She ended her article with a call to resist the ‘malevolent scheme’ that she believes X has become and to uphold democratic values and open dialogues.

Why It Matters: Hidalgo’s decision to quit X reflects a growing global concern over the impact of social media on public discourse and democratic processes.

Her stand against the platform’s algorithm and its perceived prioritization of engagement over facts mirrors the concerns raised by many critics who believe these platforms are contributing to societal polarization, the spread of misinformation, and the erosion of democratic norms.

The move could inspire others in positions of power to reconsider their use of social media platforms that have been criticized for their handling of hate speech and misinformation.

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