X Cuts Election Integrity Team, Raising Questions About Platform’s Ability to Combat Disinformation

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has made significant changes to its disinformation and election integrity team, just weeks after announcing plans to expand the team. According to a report from The Information, the team’s head, Aaron Rodericks, was among those let go.

The Information reported that half of the global team had been cut, including the head of the election integrity team, Dublin-based Aaron Rodericks. Elon Musk appeared to confirm the cuts in a post on X, saying “Oh, you mean the ‘Election Integrity’ Team that was undermining election integrity?”

At least four people have been let go, though it’s unclear how many remain on the team. In related but separate news, X has also removed a feature that allowed users in some locations to report election misinformation.

The cuts come less than a month after X pledged to expand the safety and elections teams. The move has been met with criticism from some who argue that the platform should be doing more to protect against foreign interference and misinformation. It remains to be seen how the changes will affect X’s ability to combat disinformation and protect election integrity.