Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest men, has been making waves in the tech world since he acquired Twitter for $44 billion in April 2022. Musk has been a vocal critic of Twitter’s moderation policies, which he believes are too restrictive. He has promised to make Twitter a more open and free platform for speech.
What action has Musk taken so far?
In line with his promises, Musk has made a number of changes to Twitter’s rules. Some of the most notable changes include:
- A loosening of the rules on hate speech and misinformation. Musk has said that he believes that Twitter should allow more freedom of speech, even if it means allowing some offensive or harmful content. He has also said that he believes that Twitter should be more transparent about how it moderates content.
- A new subscription service called Twitter Blue. Twitter Blue is a premium service that gives users access to several features, including the ability to undo tweets, customise their timelines, and read articles without ads.
- A new edit button. Musk has long been a proponent of an edit button for Twitter, and he has said that he plans to add one to the platform.
The changes to Twitter’s rules have been met with mixed reactions. Some users have welcomed the changes, while others have expressed concern that they will lead to an increase in hate speech and misinformation.
The concerns around Twitter Blue
There have been various pros and cons identified as a result of the changes that Musk has introduced. We will cover these soon, but one of the most controversial changes has been the changes to obtaining a blue tick. Blue ticks have long been used to verify someone’s account as genuine and were used by a host of celebs. The issue now is that anyone can get this tick if they’re willing to pay for it. There have already been a host of fake accounts where people have passed themselves off as celebs, all with the presence of the reassuring blue tick.
Now anyone can be verified, many industries will suffer, and people won’t know whether businesses are legitimate or not. For instance, those who enjoy gambling at regulated and trusted sites could now easily be fooled into being scammed. Seeing a high-profile name with a blue tick would once have avoided this, but the worth of this symbol has certainly fallen.
What the experts have to say
Experts have weighed in on the controversy surrounding Musk’s Twitter rules. Some experts have said that the changes are a positive step, while others have said that they are a cause for concern.
Positive
- Chris Cox, the former head of product at Facebook, said that the changes are a “step in the right direction.” Cox said that Twitter’s moderation policies have been too restrictive and that the changes will allow for more freedom of speech.
- Jamil Smith, a journalist, and author said that the changes are “a breath of fresh air.” Smith said that Twitter has been too quick to censor users and that the changes will allow for more diverse voices to be heard.
- Nikhil Pahwa, a technology policy expert, said that the changes are “a welcome development.” Pahwa said that the changes will make Twitter more competitive with other social media platforms.
Negative
- Claire Wardle, the co-founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said that the changes are “a disaster waiting to happen.” Wardle said that the changes will lead to an increase in hate speech and misinformation.
- Nadia Oxford, a writer for The Verge, said that the changes are “a recipe for disaster.” Oxford said that the changes will make Twitter a more toxic place.
- Hilary Mason, a former executive at Google and Twitter, said that the changes are “a mistake.” Mason said that the changes will make Twitter less safe for users.
The real impact of Musk’s Twitter changes
It is still too early to say what the impact of the changes will be. However, many potential outcomes could occur.
- Increase in hate speech and misinformation: Some experts have warned that the changes could lead to an increase in hate speech and misinformation on Twitter. This is because the changes will make it easier for users to spread harmful content.
- Decrease in user trust: If the changes lead to an increase in hate speech and misinformation, it is possible that users will lose trust in Twitter. This could lead to a decrease in the number of users on the platform.
- Increase in competition: The changes could also lead to an increase in competition from other social media platforms. These platforms may be able to attract users who are concerned about the changes on Twitter.
Additional Concerns
In addition to the concerns raised by experts, there are a number of other concerns that have been raised about the changes to Twitter’s rules. These concerns include:
- The potential for increased trolling and harassment: Some experts have expressed concern that the changes will make it easier for trolls and harassers to target users on Twitter. This is because the changes will make it easier for users to hide behind anonymity and to spread harmful content without fear of being punished.
- The potential for increased polarisation: Some experts have expressed concern that the changes will lead to an increase in polarisation on Twitter.
The Future of Twitter
It is still too early to say what the future holds for Twitter. However, the changes that Musk has made are likely to have a significant impact on the platform. It will be interesting to see how Twitter evolves in the years to come and just how far Musk is prepared to push these changes.
Of course, we still have Dogecoin in the background, with hints that Musk intends to use this as part of the Twitter set-up. The problem with Musk, and his many tweets, is that it’s often hard to separate fact from fiction.
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