District of North Vancouver exits X. Will other municipalities follow?

The District of North Vancouver (DNV) recently made the decision to bid farewell to X, formerly known as Twitter. The municipality’s corporate account was permanently closed on Wednesday due to declining public engagement and concerns raised by locals regarding the social media platform, as stated by the district’s chief administrative officer, David Stuart.

Stuart highlighted that some individuals had expressed views of X being “bigoted” and “homophobic,” prompting a reevaluation of the platform’s appropriateness for a public institution like the DNV. This decision was made independently of the controversial gesture made by X owner Elon Musk, which was widely interpreted as a Nazi salute.

In response to the community’s feedback, Stuart emphasized the importance of understanding and aligning with the interests of the residents. Technology expert Graye Williams supported the district’s choice to move away from X, citing the platform’s deteriorating quality over time.

While the DNV has departed from X, other Metro Vancouver cities are evaluating their use of the platform for public communications. The City of Vancouver is assessing the operational impacts of deactivating its X account, while New Westminster anticipates potential changes in the near future. Conversely, Surrey currently has no plans to alter its X usage.

The discussion around leaving X has extended beyond municipal boundaries, with online campaigns advocating for organizations like TransLink to transition to alternative platforms like BlueSky. DNV is also considering this option as it continues to leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube for public outreach.

Despite the shift away from X, emergency communication in the district remains unaffected, with accounts like DNV Fire Rescue and DNV sport fields still active on the platform. Williams highlighted the challenges faced by public institutions and businesses in navigating the evolving digital communication landscape, questioning the reliance on private corporations for communication channels.

In conclusion, the decision to part ways with X reflects the DNV’s commitment to responsive and inclusive communication practices, while also acknowledging the need to adapt to changing technologies and community preferences.