The mayor of Paris announced on Monday that she will stop using the social network X, formerly Twitter, and accused the Elon Musk-owned platform of spreading misinformation and hate and of becoming a "gigantic global sewer" that is toxic to democracy and constructive debate.

"With its thousands of anonymous accounts and troll farms, life on Twitter is the exact opposite of democratic life," Mayor Anne Hidalgo said in a lengthy post titled "Why I'm Leaving Twitter."

Find out more

Technology.

Elon Musk is considering banning X (Twitter) in Europe

  • Written by: EL MUNDO

Elon Musk is considering banning X (Twitter) in Europe

Social Media.

Is Elon Musk's tenure at the helm of X/Twitter as disastrous as it seems?

  • Written by: FEDE DURÁN

Is Elon Musk's tenure at the helm of X/Twitter as disastrous as it seems?

"I refuse to endorse this evil plan," he wrote.

"Busy now, check back later" was the automated response to an AP request for comment emailed to X.

Hidalgo's office said Monday's posts in French and English announcing her departure from X will be the socialist mayor's last and that by the end of the week she will shut down her account, which has 1.5 million followers.

"We are facing an absolutely clear political project to set aside democracy and its values in favor of powerful private interests," Hidalgo wrote. "This medium has become a gigantic global sewer, why should we keep diving into it?"

The City of Paris has its own account on X. The city will host the 2024 Olympic Games.

Hidalgo has had his moments of conflict. He has faced criticism from political opponents over the expense and necessity of a trip he made in October to the French territories of New Caledonia and Tahiti in the South Pacific.

The mayor also clashed last week with government ministers over the French capital's preparation for the Olympics. Hidalgo said some transportation options won't be ready for the days of the event, July 26 to Aug. 11. Transport Minister Clement Beaune responded by saying the mayor's comments were a "shameful" attempt to divert attention from her trip across the Pacific.

Hidalgo's office said his decision to leave X was not a response to recent criticism, but rather that he had been thinking about it for some time.

Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 and has removed some of its core tools.

  • Twitter
  • Elon Musk