Attorney General Richard Hermer ordered his office to quit X after a wave of online hate. The move followed growing fears that the platform fuels racism and violence. Last official post appeared on June 12, after which his staff stopped sharing updates on government work.

Hermer’s choice followed the Southampton and Belfast riots, which exposed how X can amplify hate crimes. A surge of misinformation about Henry Nowak’s murder and a Dublin stabbing fed discord. Far‑right activists posted doctored footage, while a bot named Grok misidentified police, spreading false claims. These incidents highlighted the platform’s role in stoking division communities.

Hermer argued that the only legitimate use of X for the department would be to counter misinformation. He cited Elon Musk’s amplification of extremist voices as a catalyst for the decision. The move marks the first time a UK government office has pulled back from the platform, signaling growing scrutiny of social media’s influence today.

The decision underscores a broader debate about platform responsibility amid rising online hate. It also forces agencies to rethink how they communicate with the public when traditional channels are deemed unsafe. Government departments may now rely more on newsletters, email, or official websites to maintain transparency and accountability for stakeholders seeking accurate updates and insight.