UK culture minister resigns from X citing abuse and misinformation

The UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced on 28 June that it will cease using the social‑media platform TikTok for all official communications. In a statement released through the department’s website, the DCMS cited growing concerns over data privacy, the platform’s data handling practices, and the need to align with the government’s broader digital strategy. The decision follows similar moves by other UK ministries, including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s own earlier withdrawal from the platform in 2023.

The DCMS said that the shift will allow the department to consolidate its digital presence on platforms that meet the UK government’s security and compliance standards. The move is expected to affect the department’s outreach to younger audiences, who have traditionally engaged with the DCMS through TikTok. The department will continue to use other social‑media channels—such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook—to maintain public engagement and disseminate policy updates.

This announcement underscores the UK government’s ongoing reassessment of third‑party social‑media services in the face of evolving data protection regulations and national security considerations. The DCMS will monitor the transition and assess the impact on its public communication strategy in the coming months.