Enterprise Oxfordshire Statement: Withdrawing from X

As a result of the rise in online hate speech targeting women and girls on the social media channel ‘X’, Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed they will be withdrawing from the platform.

Since becoming Enterprise Oxfordshire in April 2025, Oxfordshire County Council now act as the organisation’s 100% shareholder, known as a Teckal company arrangement, therefore their decision to withdraw from this channel also applies to us and is a decision we wholeheartedly support.

The official statement from Oxfordshire County Council, reads as follows: “Oxfordshire County Council is joining other councils, including district councils in Oxfordshire, in being deeply concerned about the rise in online hate speech and abuse targeting women and girls on the social media channel X.

“We welcome Ofcom’s decision to investigate the platform under the Online Safety Act. Safeguarding residents and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the county council’s responsibilities, and these principles extend to how and where we communicate online.

“The council regularly reviews its use of social media to ensure our channels remain effective and accessible for residents. In recent months, we have seen that X has become less effective as an engagement channel and has contributed to a less safe online environment for local communities.

“As a result, we have reduced our activity on X and focused on sharing council news and information through other social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram as well as newer channels such as WhatsApp.

“Following a recent internal review of our social media channels, we can confirm that we will be withdrawing from the X platform.

“Public bodies have a responsibility to stand up against hate and abuse, particularly when it targets women and girls. Social media can be a powerful tool for engagement, but only when it is properly regulated and moderated.

“Where platforms fail to provide a safe and respectful space for communities, we must make clear and principled choices about how we communicate.”

We will be closing our Enterprise Oxfordshire, Enterprise Oxfordshire Business, Enterprise Oxfordshire Skills and Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards ‘X’ accounts on Friday 13^th February 2026.

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