In fresh weeks, platform X (formerly Twitter) has become an arena of heated debate on freedom of speech, censorship and work of social media. After criticism by Elon Musk, owner of the X, voiced by French president Emmanuel Macron, French politicians, companies and institutions decide to leave the platform. Among them was, among others, the mer of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, who announced that he "leaves Social Network X Elona Muska". His decision is symbolic – Doucet chose the day of the inauguration of Donald Trump's presidency in the White House.
Why are the French leaving X?
Grégory Doucet, Green politicians, in his statement, pointed out "the regular violence, the impunity of hatred and the manipulation of artificial intelligence" as the main reasons for abandoning the platform. In his opinion, X has become a place where an "arbitral and unfettered algorithm" promotes socially harmful content.
Doucet is not alone in his decision. Representatives of the Paris City Hall, Brittany and Grand Est regions, as well as many institutions specified as the Pasteur Institute, the League of Human Rights and Emmaüs, joined the “retired” group. Even Strasbourg and Bordeaux, managed by the Greens, took akin steps. They all have the same goal: to fight the deficiency of censorship and harmful content that they believe flood the platform.
Left calls for a collective boycott
Green associate (EELV) Sandrine Rousseau called for the "collective" leave of X by all the "associations" of the fresh Front Left, or coalition of left parties. Rousseau accused Elon Musk of "trying to interfere in the elections in England and Germany" and "spreading false information on a large scale". In her appeal, she wrote: “I propose that we leave X together at a time that will be set later. (...) if we did it together in a coordinated way, we would make a real movement.”
According to Rousseau X, he became “a real disinformation machine, a weapon of mass demolition that imposes facts and is simply a trustee of far-right movements”. The politician accuses Musko of "saturating hatred of foreigners", supporting "unrestrained racism" and promoting "anti-tran and misogynistic" content.
The European Union enters the game
Euro MP Valérie Hayer, president of the “Renew Europe” faction, supported Rousseau's actions and announced a “double fight” with platform X – both legislative and ideological. Hayer stressed that Elon Musk must "observ European laws", including the Digital Services Act (DSA) adopted in 2022.
Hayer has already asked the European Commission to implement sanctions against X, which could even consequence in the suspension of the platform in the European Union. Interestingly, the MEP stressed that it was the European Union that defended “free speech” and Elon Musk and Alice Weidel (AfD candidate for the position of Chancellor of Germany) were lying erstwhile they spoke of censorship. At the same time, Hayer pointed out that “freedom of speech must be included in the framework of respect”.
Hypocrisy or a fight of value?
Critics of the left point to its hypocrisy in defining freedom of speech. On the 1 hand, left-wing politicians declare their support for democracy and freedom, on the another hand, request restrictions in the form of a "frame of respect" and a fight against the "talk of hatred". As skeptics note, it is the left that frequently defines what is “hate” and what is “social justice”.
An example of this moral ambiguity may be the case of eco-terrorists who in February 2024 flunked the image of Claude Monet “Spring” at the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon. 2 activists from the ‘Riposte alimentaire’ collective were sentenced only to a symbolic fine for ‘minor damage’. Their lawyer, Adelina Dubost, argued that the demolition of works of art is simply a "political gesture" which is within the framework of freedom of expression.
Is this the beginning of the end of X in Europe?
The decisions of French politicians and institutions can be an announcement of a wider trend in Europe. Faced with expanding force from the European Union and criticism from the left, the future of platform X on the Old Continent is at stake. Will Elon Musk comply with DSA requirements, or will X become the victim of a "double legislative and ideological struggle"?
One thing is certain: the debate on freedom of expression, censorship and the work of social media is just beginning.
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Left vs. freedom of speech: French politicians and institutions leave platform X
