Twitter’s Recent Controversial Policies Cause Discontent and Raise Questions

  • April 21, 2023

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Twitter's latest efforts to eliminate bots under Elon Musk's leadership have inadvertently impacted numerous public service accounts, hindering their ability to automatically post crucial news and events.
Twitter's decision to remove a transgender-specific protection from its Hateful Conduct Policy has raised concerns and put the platform in conflict with other platforms that maintain policies to protect their transgender users.
Twitter's recent modifications to its verification system have generated confusion and backlash among users, with prominent users voicing opposition to the idea of paying for verification.
These recent controversial policies implemented by Twitter have sparked discontent and raised questions about the platform's priorities and commitment to its users, prompting many to question the motives behind these decisions.
It remains to be seen whether the platform will address the concerns raised or continue down its current path as users and experts continue to scrutinize Twitter's policies.

 

Twitter’s latest efforts to eliminate bots under Elon Musk’s leadership have inadvertently impacted numerous public service accounts, hindering their ability to automatically post crucial news and events.

As Twitter transitions to Musk’s new high-priced paid API system, many of these accounts have lost their API access, which previously allowed them to post in an authorized way on the platform.

Affected accounts include multiple National Weather Service accounts, New York City’s MTA, San Francisco’s BART, and various entertainment-related automated accounts.

The new basic $100 per month API plan may not offer the access required by some of these services, and the next tier starts at an astounding $42,000 per month.

This sudden change has left indie developers feeling frustrated, with some forced to shut down their Twitter-based apps due to the exorbitant starting price for Enterprise API access.

Twitter’s refusal to offer intermediate-priced tiers between the $100 and $42,000 range has raised questions about Musk’s true intentions for the platform’s third-party ecosystem and whether the goal was to broadly eliminate it.

Transgender-Specific Protection Removed from Hateful Conduct Policy

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has expressed its concerns following Twitter’s decision to remove a transgender-specific protection from its Hateful Conduct Policy.

The rule, implemented in 2018, prohibited targeted misgendering and deadnaming of transgender individuals.

The rollback puts Twitter in conflict with platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, and Meta, which maintain policies to protect their transgender users.

This change occurred as Elon Musk was scheduled to address advertising industry executives during the POSSIBLE conference.

A February 2023 poll of LGBTQ Twitter users revealed that since Musk took over as CEO, 60% of respondents experienced an increase in abusive and hateful speech on the platform.

Twitter’s refusal to offer intermediate-priced tiers between the $100 and $42,000 range has raised questions about Musk’s true intentions for the platform’s third-party ecosystem and whether the goal was to broadly eliminate it.

Verification Changes Create Confusion and Backlash

Twitter’s recent modifications to its verification system have generated confusion and backlash among users.

The platform introduced color-coded verification marks and initially offered blue checks to those paying for its Twitter Blue subscription service.

However, the service was briefly paused and later relaunched due to issues involving celebrity and corporate impersonators.

Prominent users, such as actor William Shatner and anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky, have voiced opposition to the idea of paying for verification, arguing that it is necessary for safety from impersonation.

Experts have also raised concerns that reserving verification for paid users might not effectively reduce bot issues on the site, and could make it easier for scammers to impersonate high-profile users.

Despite the confusion and opposition, Musk has insisted that the changes aim to treat all users equally and that there should not be a different standard for celebrities.

The verification-related changes could also drive revenue, potentially helping Musk with the significant debt incurred after purchasing Twitter for $44 billion.

Conclusion

These recent controversial policies implemented by Twitter have sparked discontent and raised questions about the platform’s priorities and commitment to its users.

Public service accounts, indie developers, and LGBTQ users have all been affected by these changes, prompting many to question the motives behind these decisions.

As users and experts continue to scrutinize Twitter’s policies, it remains to be seen whether the platform will address the concerns raised or continue down its current path.

Craig Paradise media

Read Full Biography
Back to previous

You May Also Like

Social Media

Twitter’s First Acquisition Under Elon Musk: Job Search Startup Laskie

  Twitter, now under Elon Musk’s ownership and rebranded as “X,” has made its first acquisition – the job search……

Social Media

Elon Musk’s Reign Sees Twitter Struggle with Content Moderation Amid Rising Public Concerns

  Twitter, the globally recognized social media platform, is currently grappling with a rising tide of disturbing content. This alarming……

Social Media

Meta Threatens to Remove News Content in Canada

  Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is at odds with the Canadian government over the proposed Online……

  • mail
  • facebook
  • twitter

related articles

Reclaiming-Connection-The-Shift-from-Social-Media-Chaos-to-Rediscovering-Social-Networks.png

Social Media

Reclaiming Connection: The Shift from Social Media Chaos to Rediscovering Social Networks

Social Media

Elon Musk Values Twitter at $20 Billion, Announces New Stock Compensation Program

Social Media

ActivityPub is Paving the Way for a Decentralized Social Media Revolution


Articles About Social Media

BeReal’s Struggle to Maintain Authenticity and Market Share

May 10, 2023

The Rising Impact of Social Media on Female Athletes’ Eating Disorders

May 6, 2023

The Rise and Fall of Digital Media Outlets and Gen Z’s Complex Relationship with Social Media

May 5, 2023

Bipartisan Federal Bill Proposes National Age Limit for Social Media Use

May 1, 2023

Social Media Firestorm: Bud Light Partnership with Trans Influencer Sparks Debate and Controversy

April 25, 2023