North Wales Police, serving nearly 700,000 residents, was one of the first to withdraw from certain social media channels. Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman stated that the platforms no longer aligned with the force’s values. “We felt that the platform was no longer consistent with our values and therefore we have withdrawn our use of it,” Blakeman said.
Other forces, such as Gwent Police and West Yorkshire Police, have also expressed concerns about the tone of these platforms and their ability to reach their target audience. They are currently reviewing their social media presence to determine whether it remains a valuable tool for community engagement. In addition to law enforcement, various organisations such as charities, health institutions, and educational establishments have also chosen to stop posting on certain social media platforms.
Out of 32 ambulance and fire services surveyed, nine reported that they had actively reassessed their presence online.
Police reassess social media strategies
This summer’s riots, fuelled by online misinformation, highlighted the potential dangers of social media platforms.
Far-right and racist violence erupted after false claims circulated that an attack in Southport, where three young girls were killed, was perpetrated by an Islamist migrant. While police forces deny that their reviews of social media engagement are directly linked to this summer’s riots, the decline in popularity of certain platforms and the growing concerns about their content have prompted many to reconsider their use. Digital analytics company Similarweb estimates a significant drop in user bases in Britain and the United States over the past year.
Experts suggest that authorities should be selective in their choice of social media platforms, acknowledging that each platform has its own distinct identity and can shape the nature of the content and discussions that occur on it. Last month, the widely used and often controversial messaging platform Telegram announced that it will share data such as usernames and phone numbers with authorities in response to valid legal requests, aiming to curb criminal activity on the platform. This change is likely a response to Telegram’s increasing reputation as a haven for illegal activities, including the trading of child abuse imagery and the publication of terror-related content.
The platform was also used to coordinate much of the online activity behind the summer riots in the UK.
