Perth and Kinross Council has revealed it is reducing its usage of X to communicate with residents due to a drop in engagement on the social media platform.
Earlier this week, South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) revealed that it will stop posting on the platfrom – except for emergency alerts – due to “widespread public concerns that X now allows the promotion and dissemination of harmful and extremist content, including content that is unlawful, abusive or false.”
It was agreed that SLC would continue to use the platform for the time being, but only for the sharing of alerts that provide information that local residents need to know immediately – such as school or road closures, extreme weather events or other issues that impact on council services.
The PA asked Perth and Kinross Council whether any similar measures were under consideration.
A council spokesperson said that, as a result of a drop in engagement on X, the local authority would be posting on the platform with less frequency.
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They said: “X continues to be one of our public information channels. However, due to a decline in engagement, we have reduced our posting frequency.
“We regularly review our use of all social media platforms and focus on sharing content that interests our audience. During severe weather or other incidents, X remains the easiest channel for posting and sharing updates from our partners.”
PKC currently has more than 23,500 followers on X.
Earlier this month, Edinburgh City Council was urged to cease its use of X. Green councillor Chas Booth put forward a motion calling for use of the site to be discontinued.
A number of councils and organisations, including Renfrewshire Council, Devon County Council, North Somerset Council and others, have already taken the decision to stop using X.
The social media platform has lost millions of active users since the controversial tycoon Elon Musk completed a $40billion takeover of the platform in October 2022.
Last November, former First Minister Humza Yousaf raised concerns over privacy, despite the SNP government vowing to contonue its use of the site.
Mr Yousaf revealed his fears the tech billionaire may have been able to access his private messages following an online spat between the pair.