Twitter, under Elon Musk’s influence, may adopt a more lenient approach to account bans, but it remains committed to addressing content that breaches its guidelines. The social media platform will now label tweets identified as violating its Hateful Conduct policy.
The company explains, in a blog post, that users will start to see a notice informing them of the restricted “visibility” of the contentious post, accompanied by an option to learn more. In the coming months, the labels will encompass a broader range of policy breaches.
Initially, users can offer “feedback” on a label if they believe it is erroneous, but a formal appeal process will only be introduced in the future. The company has also emphasised that these labels apply solely to individual tweets, not entire accounts.
This labelling strategy reflects the company’s shift towards a “freedom of speech, not freedom of reach” approach under Musk’s guidance, wherein the platform more frequently avoids outright bans and instead limits the exposure of controversial content.
We’re adding more transparency to the enforcement actions we take on Tweets. As a first step, soon you’ll start to see labels on some Tweets identified as potentially violating our rules around Hateful Conduct letting you know that we’ve limited their visibility.
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) April 17, 2023…
In theory, this prevents the dissemination of offensive speech without completely silencing users. Additionally, this approach offers greater transparency, addressing concerns about “shadow bans” that restrict reach without the user’s awareness.
Since taking the helm, Musk has reinstated several high-profile accounts, including that of former President Trump, although he temporarily suspended Kanye West’s account despite lifting a permanent ban in November. While “bad actors” and individuals who break the law can still face bans, they are more likely to remain on the platform.
Furthermore, this strategy may not assuage the concerns of advertisers who have left Twitter, fearing their advertisements may appear alongside objectionable content.
Although the labelling approach addresses potential censorship concerns, it may not appease those who perceive labels as diminishing a post’s value.
The “freedom of speech, not freedom of reach” philosophy aims to strike a balance between allowing open expression and protecting users from harmful content, without resorting to outright bans.
This approach may effectively reduce the spread of offensive speech without completely silencing users, fostering a healthier environment for discourse. Furthermore, by offering greater transparency, Twitter can alleviate concerns about shadow banning and demonstrate its commitment to fairness on the platform.
However, not all stakeholders may be satisfied with this strategy. For example, Advocacy groups and advertisers may still have reservations about Twitter’s ability to protect vulnerable communities and maintain a brand-safe environment. While labelling addresses some censorship concerns, critics who view labels as devaluing posts may remain unconvinced.
Ultimately, as the social media landscape continues to evolve, Twitter’s labelling approach will be put to the test. Success will depend on its ability to effectively balance freedom of expression with user protection while addressing the concerns of various stakeholders.
This experiment in content moderation may serve as a valuable lesson for other platforms seeking to navigate the complexities of online communication in an ever-changing digital world.
