What? We must now sign up with X to receive Social Security notifications?

[allegorical oracle]

The Social Security Administration (SSA) unveiled Thursday that it would use the social platform X to make announcements going forward, instead of traditional press releases or memos typically posted to the agency’s website.

“The agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public — formerly known as Twitter,” Linda Kerr-Davis, SSA Midwest-West regional commissioner told employees in a call Thursday, according to Federal News Network (FNN).

snip

“I know this probably sounds very foreign to you — it did to me as well — and not what we are used to, but we are in different times now,” she added.

The SSA’s last press release, which was posted March 27 on the website, denied reports that local field offices may be closing. It also features a link to an inactive social media account for the agency that encouraged website viewers to follow the press office on X, which is owned by close Trump adviser and donor Elon Musk.

(Last I checked, X costs $32/ yr to join. And that goes to help Musk support his 14 kids.)

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5245029-social-security-administration-social-platform-x-releases/

[CousinIT]

1. F*ck that. We get supporting organizations to join, monitor and report. We don't need to. nt

[SheltieLover]

8. Exactly!

[enough]

2. Meaning that X/Musk can turn them on and off at will?

[allegorical oracle]

4. Honestly, this made no sense to me and I tried to verify it because I hope

it's not true. I absolutely refuse to sign up with X for anything. Was hoping anyone here could show me that I'm incorrect.

If the gov't starts funneling all the agency public info thru X, it means many people won't be able to stay up-to-date with what's going on.

[Captain Zero]

5. Next? X required to login to SSA Account?

They are making X a surveillance platform of SS recipients.

Make me change my mind.

[B.See]

25. EXACTLY.

[Silent Type]

3. Social Security Says On X It's Not Switching All Communications To X (Update). While it's hard to know what's true

nowadays, below is what Huff Post is saying now.

The second link below, is what apears to be the "Social Security" X page, but I'm not sure it's real either.

In any event, I'd bet money they aren't going to rely solely on X, although I'm sure Musk would love that.


"The agency batted down a Wired report that it was moving all of its communications to X ... with a post on X.

"“We are no longer planning to issue press releases or those dear colleague letters to inform the media and public about programmatic and service changes,” an SSA regional commissioner announced during an internal meeting this week, according to Wired’s sources.

"Social Security spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost. Hours later, the agency responded to the Wired report with a post on X: “This is false. Social Security will continue to communicate through any and all mediums.”"

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/social-security-administration-x-press-releases_n_67f9770ae4b0c859a8c0b840

Link to tweet

[allegorical oracle]

7. Thank you for that info. Hope it holds true. It's difficult enough to devine the

facts from the fake, but The Hill is usually fairly reliable.

[question everything]

6. Social Security Says On X It's Not Switching All Communications To X (Update)

Social Security spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost. Hours later, the agency responded to the Wired report with a post on X: “This is false. Social Security will continue to communicate through any and all mediums.”

As of Friday night, it still had not posted anything new on its press release site.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/social-security-administration-x-press-releases_n_67f9770ae4b0c859a8c0b840

[Maeve]

9. Translation: they didn't like the feedback

And posting that ON X says it was sorta planned, but now maybe...not....

[Doodley]

10. X is getting paid $500 million to take over the communications.

Okay, I made that up! But who would be surprised?

[allegorical oracle]

13. Shame on you... but it's okay.

[krkaufman]

24. Just forcing more people to have to subscribe to Twitter would be a boost

It doesn't require a direct payment.

[Doodley]

38. Exactly. This is what an oligarchy is all about!

[not fooled]

40. Too cheap

Eloon only grifts for billions.

[Doodley]

55. Good point!

[claudette]

11. Not me

I will
NEVER sign on to X

[eppur_se_muova]

12. Benefits to seniors, the poor, and children need to be slashed, but welfare for corporations MUSK continue. nt

[TNNurse]

14. Since I trust no one in this administration

and they change their plans and minds several times a day, I as a SS recipient will join any class action suit that surfaces.

[turbinetree]

15. They are not a government agency called x............pound sand...............

I am so glad I went to the SSA to get hard copies of my benefits...................

[Alliepoo]

16. Yeah- NO. X can kiss my big ol' fanny.

I dumped my account and I’ll be danged if I’ll sign up with that freakin’ Nazi site.

[AverageOldGuy]

17. Never

[themaguffin]

18. Twitter doesn't cost to join, but this is absolutely shitty for them to do.

[allegorical oracle]

32. Why, when I checked, did X come up as charging $32/year to join?

[orleans]

43. i don't know. here's what i googled: is there a charge to sign up for x

and this was the a.i. answer

"While creating an X account is free, X Premium, which offers additional features, costs money and has different tiers with varying prices. "

where did you find your information?

[druidity33]

45. That's to get a blue checkmark. nt.

[Joinfortmill]

19. Nope. Not me. Fuck Musk.

[elleng]

20. BULL SHIT!

[Evolve Dammit]

21. Don't do X. Period.

[turbinetree]

22. This is what they want to do charge a fee and privatize the system.................fuck them and pound sand

[krkaufman]

23. Yet another conflict of interest / grift example for Musk

Twitter is dying, so he pushes government agencies to make it the default communication tool. Just ludicrous.

[B.See]

28. Remember, the buck stops with Trump

Musk wouldn't be doing it, if the fascist in the O.Offuce didn't APPROVE.

(yeah, I know "office" is misspelled... somehow it seems apropos.)

[soldierant]

26. Enough people here on DU are still on Xitter

fo whatever reasons, and enough of those are on Social Security themselves, and enough of them are kind and considerate, that I would expect anything they dump out will get posted here. There is already a forum for :Social Security and Medicare" using that forum would enable us to find such "news" quickly

[sprinkleeninow]

27. "....we are in different times now", she added.

Hay lady! I say humongous bull biscuits on your words.

[B.See]

31. What??

Not, "GFY"? You're too kind.

[sprinkleeninow]

33. Attempting to curb my mouth during this time of

Great Lent/Pre-Easter.😇

[B.See]

35. understood

[SheltieLover]

29. I'll wait for this to be litigated.

Fuck "x" and fleaon.

[yellow dahlia]

30. I am in the process of organizing a protest at my local SS office.

Here is a link to the "call to action". https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/hands-off-social-security

Just like April 5th, anyone can host a protest.

I haven't posted mine on the site yet, because I am ironing out the details, such as time.

I am going to make a sign that shows my support for Social Security employees. Also trying to word one that objects to X taking over communications at SSA. So many facets that elicit ideas for signs.

[SouthBayDem]

34. As opposed to the tried-and-true, more universal methods

of text message or email?

The grift is so freaking obvious here.

[barbtries]

36. fuck that. nt

[WarGamer]

37. X is free, BTW.

NEVER pay the premium.

[allegorical oracle]

39. Oh -- thank you for that information.

[LilElf70]

41. Sure looks like

no notifications for me. I'm not giving Musk shit. Not on my watch.

Trump has f'ed up everything.

I hope we make it to 28.

[orleans]

42. they're charging money to join? since when did that crap start.

it's weirdly amusing that eloon will be probably be trying to move as much as he can from gov. websites to his fucking twit platform -- desperate for more readers/tweeters? yes. absolutely desperate.

[themaguffin]

46. No, they are not charging money to join

[kerry-is-my-prez]

44. Poor little Elon has to make more money.

[Kaleva]

48. There is no cost

[Kaleva]

47. X remains free for those who just want to follow or browse

Last edited Sun Apr 13, 2025, 04:28 PM - Edit history (1)

For new accounts, there's a cost if one wants to post , like, bookmark or reply .

[scipan]

50. Not true. I can do all those things and I don't pay anything. Nt

[Kaleva]

53. This is for new accounts

"After an upgrade on Monday, the website said new accounts are required to pay a small annual fee before they are able to post, like, bookmark, and reply."

https://m.economictimes.com/tech/technology/new-x-users-may-have-to-pay-to-like-post-elon-musk-calls-it-the-only-way-to-curb-bots/articleshow/109342494.cms

I will edit my previous post to make that clear.

Thank you for pointing out my omission.

[Ms. Toad]

56. Or wait for 3 months.

The new users, however, will be able to use all usual features for free after three months, Elon Musk, the owner of American technology company X Corp, which owns X, said.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/new-x-users-may-have-to-pay-to-like-post-elon-musk-calls-it-the-only-way-to-curb-bots/articleshow/109342494.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

[Kaleva]

57. So it'll still be free. Unlike what the OP claimed

[Ms. Toad]

58. That's how I read it.

You're in purgatory for a free months, like Reddit, to make sure you're not just a scammer. Unlike Reddit, you can buy your way out early.

[Kaleva]

59. Thank you for that information!

[MineralMan]

49. No. You have misunderstood.

That was limited only to press announcements, not individual communications. And, I doubt that will end up being true, too. Lots of misinformation out there right now.

[applegrove]

51. What % of social security recipients are not on the internet?

10%? 25? Crazy. The corruption is etches bit by bit.

[Irish_Dem]

52. More Musk grifting.

[Celerity]

54. An X account is free. It only costs extra to go premium (blue check, etc).