Several Belgian public transport companies, including national railways NMBS/SNCB, Brussels metro operator STIB, and Flemish bus company De Lijn, announced their departure from social media platform X, according to Politico.
The move reflects growing dissatisfaction with the platform under Elon Musk’s ownership and his controversial political affiliations.
NMBS/SNCB stated that X no longer aligns with its values.
We are leaving X. This communication tool no longer aligns with the values upheld by #SNCB.
While STIB and De Lijn did not provide specific reasons for their departure, the decision follows a broader trend of organisations distancing themselves from X due to concerns over Musk’s leadership and the platform’s direction.
Walloon public bus company TEC also announced its exit from X last week.
The TEC on X, that’s over.
Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has faced criticism for endorsing national-oriented political parties in Europe and serving as a key adviser to US President Donald Trump. His role in Trump’s administration, particularly as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has further alienated some users and organisations.
Belgian party Vlaams Belang condemned the transport companies’ decision, with Flemish parliamentarian Chris Janssens arguing that the move was influenced by Musk’s political stance.
X has also come under investigation by the European Commission for potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU’s flagship content moderation law. The platform’s handling of misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content has raised concerns among regulators and users alike.
Many have cited Musk’s controversial policies, including changes to content moderation and verification systems, as reasons for leaving. All the departing companies maintain active accounts on other social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
