In 2025, the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, became a controversial focal point in discussions about online hate, particularly against South Asian communities. Increasingly, commentators, activists, and researchers observed spikes in racist narratives, derogatory language, and harmful stereotypes targeting people of South Asian descent—both within the United States and globally. These trends reflect broader issues around platform moderation, political polarization, and how digital algorithms can amplify extreme content.

One major factor in this trend has been the relaxation of content moderation under Musk’s leadership, which critics argue has emboldened users to share hate speech with fewer consequences. Analysts have noted that removal of extensive trust and safety systems combined with reinstating previously banned accounts created an environment where racist rhetoric could spread more easily. This has been particularly visible through derogatory memes, caricatures, and slurs targeting South Asians, including politicians and tech leaders of South Asian origin. For example, racist depictions of Indian-American figures, often wrapped in crude imagery, circulated widely, and some received engagement from high-profile accounts, drawing condemnation from civil rights defenders and ordinary users alike. The Times of India

Amplification of racialized narratives was not limited to overt slurs but also intersected with geopolitics and cultural politics. In the UK, for instance, the controversial “grooming gangs” narratives from past scandals were revived on X and linked explicitly to Islamophobic and xenophobic tropes aimed at South Asian Muslim communities. These stories often conflated complex social issues with racial and religious identity, reinforcing stereotypes rather than fostering understanding. Center for the Study of Organized Hate

Reports from hate-monitoring organizations have documented an alarming rise in anti-South Asian content on X and other platforms. Between 2023 and 2024, the volume of anti-South Asian slurs in monitored extremist spaces reportedly doubled, with significant portions directed at Indians and other South Asian groups. This surge coincided with the rising political visibility of South Asian Americans, including high-profile leaders and public figures, leading to blatant racist attacks and threats circulating online. aapiequityalliance.org

The online environment also saw debates over where to draw the line between offensive “jokes” and racist abuse. Comments that invoked harmful stereotypes—such as implying that groups “smell” a certain way—prompted heated discussions about the responsibilities of users and platforms alike. One notable incident involved a tech leader whose comment under a hackathon photo was widely interpreted as racist, sparking a debate about online culture and accountability on social media. The Times of India

While Musk at times has publicly stated that X should allow “fun and jokes,” critics argue that leaving moderation lax has real consequences. Without robust systems to check hate speech, online platforms risk not only normalizing racist attitudes but also translating them into offline harassment and violence—something that civil rights groups have consistently warned about. The debate continues over the role of leadership, technology, and community standards in shaping the social media environment, especially for minority groups who increasingly find themselves the targets of orchestrated digital hate.