7 Powerful Reasons to Quit 𝕏 Now

It’s not just a bad platform — it’s a weapon. If we’re serious about protecting democracy, it’s time to act.

Any attentive observer can see that Elon Musk is a corrupt, power-hungry liar with a disturbing lack of conscience. More and more people are waking up to the devastating impact of his influence on society — effects that go well beyond just economic disruption. Musk’s actions contribute to a dramatic global shift toward authoritarianism, the erosion of U.S. democracy, the dismantling of long-standing international alliances, a surge in social inequality, and rising political polarization.

Despite these pressing dangers, far too many people continue to use Musk’s social media platform, X. By doing so, they don’t just ignore the harm Musk is causing — they actively contribute to it. In what follows, I’ll lay out why leaving X is incredibly important — both for the health of our society and for our own safety and well-being.

Some of the points I’ll raise have been largely missing from the public debate, and they urgently deserve more attention. So please, help get the word out.

The true cost of staying on X

1) By using X, you're helping far-right extremists and disinformation spreaders make money

The monetization model of X is based on engagement. Since the platform favors far-right accounts, it’s essentially a funding machine for hate and falsehoods. Prominent right-wing figures earn thousands of dollars monthly, while those spreading truth and facts are often banned or flee the platform. Your activity on X, including ad consumption, directly contributes to financing an ecosystem that experts describe as a “right-wing echo chamber” and “the biggest source of disinformation”. It’s not just about supporting individual extremists; it's about sustaining an entire network that thrives on lies and division.

2) Companies are pressured to advertise on X, leaving users as the last line of resistance

Last year, many companies stopped advertising on X, refusing to support a platform mired in controversy. Reports suggest that Elon Musk is using his influence to pressure advertisers back. Ad revenue at X is expected to increase, as brands fear retaliation from its politically connected owner. The advertising conglomerate Interpublic Group was allegedly urged to push its clients to increase their spending on X, or face consequences. Additionally, Musk has taken aggressive legal action against some companies that pulled their ads. This leaves individual users with a crucial role to play: A mass exodus from X may be the only realistic way to curb the platform’s influence and rein in Musk’s outsized control over public discourse.

3) Privacy concerns & AI exploitation

X’s new Terms of Service, introduced in November 2024, let its AI train on everyone’s posts — possibly even if you opt out. This has sparked backlash from artists and creatives worried their work is being exploited to train AI that could replace them, while other users fear their personal data and photos are being misused. X’s AI, Grok, has faced controversy for spreading election misinformation and generating graphic fake images of politicians, further fueling concerns about Musk’s disregard for data privacy and ethical AI use. Musk’s actions under the Trump administration suggest that he has no hesitation when it comes to the illegitimate and opaque handling of sensitive personal data.

4) Your reputation is at stake

Remaining on X is becoming a growing credibility risk for individuals and companies alike. As more people and businesses distance themselves from the platform, continuing to engage on X can make you appear out of touch, hypocritical, or even complicit. Just as a pro-democracy advocate wouldn’t want to be seen driving a Cybertruck, those who claim to be against hate and dangerous disinformation will find their presence on X severely at odds with their values.

5) An enormous threat to democracy & public discourse

X poses a serious threat to public discourse through algorithmic manipulation, misinformation, and selective censorship. The platform has been caught pushing political content onto users who opted for nonpolitical topics. Despite claiming to champion free speech, Musk has been accused of selectively silencing critics on the platform. Reports also suggest that X’s algorithm has been adjusted to amplify right-wing views and artificially boost Musk’s own account, further consolidating his influence over public discourse. Musk’s majority ownership of the platform plays a significant role, as it allows him to make key decisions opaquely and virtually single-handedly.

6) Your presence on X feeds Musk’s narcissist ego

Using X directly fuels Musk’s ego, reinforcing his belief that he has widespread support and is on the “right side” of history. Despite his rapidly declining popularity, he remains convinced that people admire him. Every interaction, every follower, and every engagement on his platform validates his illusion. To deliver a real setback, he needs to see a significant drop in engagement and feel the loss of his audience. By staying on X, users inadvertently motivate and embolden Musk further.

7) Your usage perpetuates X

By staying on X, you contribute to its normalization, signaling to others that its use is acceptable. This passive endorsement strengthens its social legitimacy, making users less likely to question their own participation. Furthermore, due to the network effect — where the value of a platform increases as more people use it — your continued presence enhances its perceived utility for others, making them more likely to stay or join. As more people stick around to maintain connections, content reach, or professional ties, the platform becomes increasingly entrenched, making meaningful change or migration away from it more difficult. Take a bold step and delete your account — not only for all the crucial reasons mentioned above, but also to make it easier for others to follow suit.

Conclusion

Where we choose to spend our time online doesn’t just impact our information diet and mental well-being; it has broader social and political consequences. Every minute you engage with X, even as a passive observer, you’re fueling a system that thrives on your attention and actively spreads lies, division, and hatred.

Using X means donating your valuable life time and sensitive personal data to a right-wing echo chamber recognized as the world’s biggest source of disinformation — in a time when experts rank the spread of false information as the greatest immediate risk to humanity.

Whether or not we continue to use X is an incredibly important decision — one that could shape the future of our society, even our survival as a species. The platform is a growing threat, and the only real way to neutralize it is to stop feeding it. Log off. Leave it behind. For good. If you haven’t done so already — what exactly are you waiting for?

TAKE ACTION

1. Delete your X account following these steps.

2. If you want to keep microblogging, check out X alternatives like Bluesky, Reddit, Lemmy, Mastodon or Substack Notes.

3. Spread the word! If this article resonates with you, please share it with your network to help others understand why quitting Musk’s platform matters. And if someone close to you is still using X, consider sending them the article directly —a personal message can go a long way in encouraging them to reflect on these points.

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