Twitter's new path unclear as Musk says 'weeks' for banned accounts' return

Twitter's new path unclear as Musk says 'weeks' for banned accounts' return

Twitter users have been watching closely to see if Elon Musk will restore former US president Donald Trump's account, after he was banned for inciting last year's attack on the US Capitol
Twitter users have been watching closely to see if Elon Musk will restore former US president Donald Trump's account, after he was banned for inciting last year's attack on the US Capitol. Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!

The road ahead for Twitter remained as murky as ever after new owner Elon Musk said Wednesday that it could take weeks to reinstate banned accounts -- such as that of former US president Donald Trump.

Twitter users have been watching closely to see whether Musk will reinstate Trump, banned for inciting last year's attack on the Capitol by a mob seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and other deplatformed users.

The potential reinstatement of such accounts banned for violating the site's content moderation rules has been seen as a bellwether of where Musk, a self-described "free speech absolutist," wants to take the site he describes as a global town square.

But on Wednesday the South African billionaire said the wait will have to continue a little while longer.

Read also

Musk says may take 'weeks' for banned Twitter accounts to be restored

"Twitter will not allow anyone who was de-platformed for violating Twitter rules back on platform until we have a clear process for doing so, which will take at least a few more weeks," he tweeted.

That would delay a return of Trump until after crucial November 8 midterm elections in the United States, which will determine control of Congress.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!

Trump, once a prolific tweeter, retains a powerful hold on his Republican Party, and has reopened his 2020 playbook by questioning the integrity of the upcoming election.

Since Musk took Twitter private last week, Trump has suggested he would be happier sticking with his own Truth Social messaging platform.

But the former president's network has financial issues and many political strategists believe he would find it hard to resist the influence offered by Twitter, where he was once one of the site's biggest global draws.

Read also

Tech summit to hear Uber whistleblower testimony

The financial fate of Truth Social could be determined at a crucial meeting expected on Thursday that could see one of the site's key backers dissolved.

The announcement comes only days after the world's wealthiest man took sole control of the social media giant in a contentious $44 billion deal, vowing to dial back content moderation.

But the huge sum paid for Twitter has heaped pressure on Musk to keep advertisers on board and keep a lid on offensive content.

Musk in his tweet on Wednesday also said he had talked to civil society leaders "about how Twitter will continue to combat hate & harassment & enforce its election integrity policies."

This followed his reassurance over the weekend that the site would not become a "free-for-all hellscape," and announced the formation of a content moderation council.

However on Sunday, Musk himself tweeted an anti-LGBT conspiracy theory about what happened the night US Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband was attacked, then hours later deleted the post.

Read also

Plea from Ukraine first lady kicks off annual tech summit in Portugal

'Most accurate'

In a sign that the approach to content moderation was a key concern, Musk praised the site for its handling of a White House tweet that users said exaggerated a claim that Biden had increased retirement benefits.

The White House deleted the tweet after Twitter users flagged the post as lacking context.

"Our goal is to make Twitter the most accurate source of information on Earth, without regard to political affiliation," Musk said.

US conservatives complain of censorship on the major social networks and Musk staunchly defends looser moderation of content on Twitter in the name of free speech.

Twitter's finances also remain a mystery going forward, with Musk on the hook to make huge loan repayments after his buyout.

Musk on Tuesday said the site will charge $8 per month to verify users' accounts, arguing the plan would solve the platform's issues with bots and trolls while creating a new revenue stream for the company.

Read also

Wall Street eyes chance of divided Washington after midterms

Some users warned that they would simply leave the site if they were made to pay.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.