BVG departs from X after a span of 13 years, concluding a prolonged association.
Berlin's public transport company, BVG, has announced its departure from Twitter, marking the end of a 13-year partnership. The decision was made on Tuesday, July 16, following Elon Musk's takeover of the platform, which was previously known as Twitter.
For over a decade, BVG used Twitter to provide transportation information, reaching more than 400,000 people. Their posts were occasionally humorous, making them a popular choice among Berliners. However, the communicative environment of Twitter no longer aligned with the company's values, leading to their decision to leave.
The main reasons cited by BVG for their departure include concerns about the platform's new direction, uncertainty about content moderation policies, and an intention to avoid association with the controversies surrounding Musk’s management and decisions. BVG stated that they wanted to focus on communication channels where their messaging would be more controlled and appropriate for their public service mission.
The move by the BVG is believed to be a response to the perceived increased toxicity of Twitter following Elon Musk's takeover. Content moderation on the platform has been relaxed since Musk's takeover, leading to an exodus of advertisers and concerns about the platform's future.
Interestingly, blocked accounts on Twitter have been reactivated, a move that may be aimed at addressing some of the concerns raised by users and companies. However, the BVG has not specified its reasons for leaving Twitter in detail. All six official channels of the BVG on Twitter have been marked as inactive.
Despite leaving Twitter, the BVG will continue to provide information on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The European Union has announced that Twitter is set to face heavy fines for deceiving its users in the implementation of white and blue checks to verify accounts. This development adds to the ongoing challenges facing the platform.
In light of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter and perceived increase in platform toxicity, BVG, Berlin's public transport company, decided to leave Twitter after a 13-year partnership, citing concerns about the platform's new direction, uncertainty about content moderation policies, and an intention to focus on communication channels more controlled for their public service mission. Despite departing Twitter, BVG will still provide information on other social-media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The EU has announced Twitter is set to face heavy fines for deception in implementing white and blue checks to verify accounts, adding to the platform's ongoing challenges in the realm of technology-based business and entertainment.
