U.S. embassies halt routine social media updates amid shutdown

U.S. embassies and consulates around the world suspended routine public updates on social media beginning Oct. 1, 2025, as the federal government in Washington entered a shutdown after lawmakers failed to pass short-term funding. Missions from London to Lagos to New Delhi said they would scale back communications until funding is restored, while continuing to post urgent safety and security information and to provide consular services as circumstances permit.

In posts on the platform X and on official channels, multiple diplomatic missions said regular updates would be halted. The U.S. Embassy in London said, "We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information." Similar notices appeared from embassies in Nigeria, India, Thailand, Bangladesh and Ghana, and from several ambassadors, reflecting a coordinated decision to limit public-facing activity during the lapse in appropriations.

Officials emphasized that routine passport and visa services would continue "as the situation permits," and urged people to consult travel.state.gov for the latest information on consular operations, appointment schedules and...