New York
CNN
—
Twitter said on Sunday it would ban links to other social media services and suspend accounts that attempt to direct users to alternative platforms, in an apparent attempt to stem user defections to competitors.
But Twitter CEO Elon Musk later relented, relaxing the policy and causing widespread confusion over what kind of linking is allowed and not allowed on the platform.
Under the new policy set out on Sunday afternoon, links to content on Facebook and Instagram would be prohibited, as well as links to content on emerging Twitter alternatives, including Mastodon and Post. The rule also covers Social Truth, the Twitter clone backed by former President Donald Trump.
Twitter’s decision signals a move towards a more closed environment, which still accepts incoming traffic from other sites, but makes it more difficult for users to leave Twitter’s website for other destinations.
“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content containing links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post”, Twitter support account. tweeted.
Despite the bans, Twitter said the new policy “will still allow paid advertising/promotion for any of the banned social media platforms.”
Hours after the policy was rolled out, Musk appeared to be relentless under criticism from other users and agreed to relax the rules. In an exchange involving Box CEO Aaron Levie – who called the new policy “sad” – Musk agreed it was “reasonable” that some would want to link to their Instagram profiles to promote their own businesses.
“The policy will be adjusted to suspend accounts only when the *primary* purpose of that account is competitor promotion, which essentially falls under the anti-spam rule,” Musk tweeted.
Then, amid the continued backlash, Musk opened a Twitter poll asking if he should “step down as the head of Twitter.”
“I will respect the results of this poll,” Musk wrote.
At the start of the evening on Sunday, “Yes” won by a margin of 58% to 42%.
Notably absent from the list of media platforms was TikTok, one of the internet’s fastest growing social media platforms whose ties to China have raised national security concerns among US policymakers. banned Twitter social media. Musk’s own significant stake in China through his other company, Tesla, has raised doubts among critics about whether the CEO would stand up to China if the country’s leaders sought to pressure Twitter.
Twitter’s abrupt change in policy on Sunday afternoon confused the platform’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey, who responded: “Why?” Dorsey followed with: “has no sense.”
The policy change came after some Twitter users announced plans to switch to other platforms last week, following Twitter’s suspension of a number of journalists who cover Musk. Amid the backlash of journalist suspensions, Twitter quietly began blocking links to Mastodon.
The initial announcement on Sunday announced the formalization of this ban to become official Twitter policy, a move that may raise further eyebrows among Twitter regulators.
Under Twitter’s new policy, the company said users cannot “log in” to restricted social media platforms. Users were also prohibited from updating their Twitter profiles to include their account names on other platforms, a way to let followers know where they might be found elsewhere on social media.
For example, posting encouragement to “follow me @username on Instagram” or “username@mastodon.social” is restricted, Twitter said in a blog post.
Attempts to circumvent this policy will also be enforced, the company said. For example, using link-shortening services to obscure a URL’s true destination or attempting to spell a URL in plain text will also violate Twitter’s rules, the company said.
“If any violations of this policy are included in your bio and/or account name, we will temporarily suspend your account and require changes to your profile so that it is no longer in violation,” the blog reads. “Subsequent violations may result in permanent suspension.”
First offenses or isolated incidents can result in temporary suspensions or require users to remove violent content, Twitter said.
It’s unclear how or if the policy will be implemented following Musk’s apparent decision to ease restrictions on Sunday night.
Users can continue to use third-party software to simultaneously post their social media content to multiple sites, including Twitter, the company said.
Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, as well as Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Comments
Post a Comment