Twitter: Politicians Aren’t ‘Entirely’ Above Our Rules

(via Sara Kurfeß/Pixabay)

Twitter is further restricting how users can interact with tweets from world leaders who break the rules.

In June, the social network introduced a “notice” to hide abusive posts by verified government officials with more than 100,000 followers (i.e. Donald Trump).

Concealed posts will not be featured as top tweets on a user’s timeline, nor in “safe search” results, “recommended tweet” push notifications, or the Explore page.

And, as of this week, folks can no longer like, retweet, or share secreted messages.

“These actions are meant to limit the tweet’s reach while maintaining the public’s ability to view and discuss it,” according to Twitter’s Help Center.

Employees will determine what content is a matter of public interest, based on certain criteria—including the immediacy and severity of potential harm, and whether the tweet provides unique context or perspective necessary to broader discussion.

An important clarification on how we approach Tweets from world leaders. We don't expect everyone to agree with our approach, but it's important that we make the principles that underpin it clearer. https://t.co/muexBl99Vf

— Brandon Borrman (@bborrman) October 15, 2019

Unfortunately, the system does not apply retroactively, so Trump’s archive remains free and open to the public.

“We want to make it clear today that the accounts of world leaders are not above our policies entirely,” Twitter wrote in a Tuesday blog post (emphasis theirs).

It’s unclear whether this announcement was prompted by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s call for the site to suspend Trump.

“With critical elections and shifting political dynamics around the world, we recognize that we’re operating in an increasingly complex and polarized political culture,” the company said.

“These are constantly evolving challenges,” it continued. “And we’ll keep our policies and approach under advisement, particularly as we learn more about the relationship between tweets from world leaders and the potential for offline harm.”

Twitter has “very rarely” invoked the public-interest exception, using it fewer than five times in 2018.

“Our goal is to enforce our rules judiciously and impartially,” the blog said. “In doing so, we aim to provide direct insight into our enforcement decision-making, to serve public conversation, and protect the public’s right to hear from their leaders and to hold them to account.”

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• Twitter Lets Users Hide Replies in US, Japan

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