David Bridges
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has made a significant decision to discontinue the issuance of traditional press releases, transitioning all official communications to the platform X. This strategic shift is reported by Wired and comes at a time when the SSA is undergoing budget cuts directed by DOGE, the organization established by Elon Musk, who is also the CEO of X.
During a recent meeting, SSA regional manager Linda Kerr-Davis informed staff, “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. Instead, the agency will be using X to communicate to the press and the public.” This marks a pivotal change in how the SSA interacts with the public and the media.
Historically, like many government organizations, the SSA has relied on press releases to keep the public informed and to update employees regarding critical changes. These updates can range from clarifying processes related to the SSA’s death records to more pressing modifications regarding identity verification procedures. Such official communications are vital for ensuring that both the public and employees are well-informed about important updates.
The decision to use X for official announcements raises concerns, particularly for the elderly population, who are often the primary beneficiaries of SSA services. Many retirees may not be familiar with X or how to create an account, which could result in them missing crucial updates. This transition could alienate a significant portion of the audience that relies on the SSA for essential information.
This move aligns with other actions taken by DOGE. Reports indicate that the organization has also made job cuts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has had ongoing conflicts with Musk’s Tesla. Furthermore, there are plans to implement a customized government chatbot, showcasing a broader trend towards modernization and digital interaction in government communications.
