Twitter has started fighting against potentially dangerous and fake information in posts on the platform, deleting them. The initiative is a part of an action against misinformation during a crisis or conflict to make Twitter a relatively safe platform with reliable information.
The social network has already stopped recommending or emphasizing posts that contain misleading information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, make false announcements, and other biases about war crimes.
The posts with false information are marked with warning labels. Users can not like, comment, or forward the posts.
In this way, the platform takes action to decrease the number of posts with rumors, propaganda, and fakes that have flooded Twitter since the end of February when the Russian invasion of Ukraine started. It is known that Russia inflates and spreads propaganda by creating fake accounts of its diplomats, which involve well-intentioned users. However, Twitter mentioned that they aim to fight misinformation, regardless of its origin.
On Twitter, the rules already existed, and they aim to amplify their influence. The rules will set stronger restrictions on digital media that try to manipulate users. For instance, false messages about COVID-19 and vaccination, and elections.
The new policy of Twitter may seem rather ambiguous, as Elon Mask acquired the platform with the aim to make it a place for “free speech”. So, the restrictions will be applied to the posts which violate the law by misleading users or create such dangers as personal attacks and harassment, as well as the threat of misleading information during a crisis, humanitarian catastrophe, or another conflict. In case of such violations, Twitter will refer users to reliable sources where the information is verified.
Will you use Twitter after the implementation of such regulations? Do you think that Twitter is a reliable platform? Leave your comments below.