Is Elon’s latest move on social media a win for free speech? Here are the details, in one minute.
If you do this on Twitter, Musk says you’re getting banned without a warning
Social media has had a checkered past regarding privacy and security. It’s where scammers can get your personal details to commit identity theft. Not to mention the fake news problem that’s been going around for years.
Facebook is one of the worst offenders. If you’re sick of dealing with all its headaches, maybe it’s time to delete your account. Tap or click here for our step-by-step guide on how to get a copy of the Facebook data you want to keep and then delete your account.
People are now dealing with headaches on Twitter since Elon Musk took recently took over. He claims free speech was why he wanted to purchase Twitter, but he’s making moves that say otherwise. Keep reading to find out why people are being banned without warning.
Here’s the backstory
The recent change in how some Twitter accounts present themselves stem from Musk’s rollout of a new verification system. Under the previous owners, only notable people and celebrities could receive a blue verification mark next to their names.
But Musk quickly introduced plans for a paid version known as Twitter Blue, where anybody (whether well-known or notorious) can pay $8 monthly for the coveted badge.
This didn’t sit well with some users, and, in protest, they started changing their screen names to Elon Musk. Naturally, Musk didn’t appreciate the idea. One of the first celebrities to change their Twitter profile name to Elon Musk was comedian Kathy Griffin, who found her account suspended shortly after.
Others also found their accounts suspended, leading Musk to explain that Twitter’s previous rules on impersonation or parody accounts are outdated.
Musk said that the previous policy of giving a warning for impersonating someone has been canceled. Musk said in a tweet that anyone impersonating someone moving forward would have their account permanently suspended.
Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning.
This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2022
What you can do about it
So, what is the one thing you mustn’t do on Twitter, according to Musk? Impersonate someone else (especially Musk himself) without making it clear in your profile that it’s a parody account.
Elon Musk is buying Twitter - Here's what he wants to turn it into
Over the past year, Elon Musk and Twitter leaders have circled each other like two lions preparing for a fight. First, he was buying Twitter. Then he wasn’t. It wasn’t easy to keep up with what was actually happening. After a long standoff, the Tesla CEO gave up the legal battle.
Telegram’s founder says he has “nothing to hide”: French authorities arrested him for criminal activities on the anonymous chat app — like people videoing themselves killing cats with kitchen utensils and pedophiles sharing explicit images of kids. The CEO says the app shouldn’t be held responsible for the horrible content, citing freedom of speech. Ahem, that’s not free speech, jerkface.
Check out these headlines reacting to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter
After weeks of speculation and corporate wrangling, Twitter’s board approved Elon Musk’s $44 billion purchase. It’s big news for the tech industry and social media platforms, but not everybody is thrilled.
Many media outlets are concerned about what it could mean for Twitter in the future.
3 ways Twitter could change immediately with Musk in control
Have you followed Kim on Twitter? You’ll get information on our latest stories, Kim’s Daily Tech Update, tips on deals and more. Find her at twitter.com/kimkomando. Speaking of Twitter. Elon Musk has been making headlines lately with his activity on the social media site.
The next Parler? What to know about this Twitter alternative
Social media has never been more popular, and new platforms seem to be launched often. Not all of them make it past the initial release, though. Take Parler as an example. Beyond the flurry of new users at launch, it was eventually pulled from various app stores.
Sick of slow internet with a VPN? This is the fastest one we've tried
You’ve probably seen all the headlines about Big Tech’s legal shield. It lets companies like Apple and Google track your every move and tamper with search results, controlling which websites you can access. Recently, Big Tech’s crackdown on conservative Twitter alternative Parler sparked a wildfire of controversy.
Amazon is banning books and films they don’t like
Big Tech companies have so much power that even a small step creates an earthquake that ripples throughout the world. For instance, Amazon has quietly adopted a new policy against any books or movies with material it considers hate speech.
Why Parler is down and not expected to come back anytime soon
If you weren’t familiar with the social networking app Parler a few days ago, you probably at least know it by name now. Founded in 2018, it was launched as an alternative to other social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Why Parler was removed from Apple and Google's app stores
A battle over online speech is raging. Social media app Parler is down and not expected to come back anytime soon. Before Amazon cut hosting for the Twitter alternative, it was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores. Aside from the app, you could also access Parler on the web. Its site is down, too.
Parler: What is it, and is it for you?
Our 2020 Presidential Election proved one thing: America is split half conservative, half liberal.
The conservative half is fed up with Twitter and moving on. These users are tired of Twitter’s algorithms and corporate management regulating speech on its platform.
Facebook issues a strange legal warning about your posts - here's what it means
Facebook has a funny relationship with the law here in the U.S. The company has been mired in multiple controversies over the last decade ranging from antitrust investigations to election interference. Mark Zuckerberg himself has even testified before the U.S. Senate on behalf of his company.
Parler: Your guide to the 'free speech' social network
Debates about free speech on the web are as old as the internet itself. But due to rapid changes in public discourse and opinion, not everyone is sure as to where free speech applies online.
Per the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Congress shall make no law “…prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” Of course, this applies to the government making rules about speech, not businesses and the platforms they own. Tap or click here to explore a high-resolution digital edition of the U.S. Constitution.
Facebook is banning 'deepfake' videos created to fool you
We’ve been hearing a lot about the spreading of fake news lately — especially on social media sites during election years like this one.
That’s why many of us look for verification when someone is said to have done something outrageous. We turn to proof like video or audio recordings. The problem is technology has advanced to the point where videos can be faked.