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Elon Musk plans to introduce ‘content moderation council’ for Twitter
Elon Musk has announced his intention to form a “content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints” at Twitter in his first policy actions since taking over the social media company on Friday while emphasizing that no changes to the platform’s moderation policies have been implemented thus far.
“No major content decisions or account reinstatements will happen before that council convenes,” the outspoken billionaire businessman said amid growing concerns that former US President Donald Trump’s account might be reinstated.
“To be super clear, we have not yet made any changes to Twitter’s content moderation policies,” he added in a later tweet.
To be super clear, we have not yet made any changes to Twitter’s content moderation policies https://t.co/k4guTsXOIu
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 29, 2022
On Friday, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, formally acquired Twitter, sending the platform down an uncertain path under the direction of one of its most vocal critics.
Scrutiny quickly turned to how the platform will function under the leadership of a self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist, who some users fear will turn Twitter into a global platform for hate speech and disinformation.
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Elon Musk’s approval of the on-again, off-again $44 billion Twitter deal ended a months-long soap opera involving insults, threats, and lawsuits. “The bird is free,” tweeted the billionaire Tesla founder and space pioneer in reference to the company’s logo. “Let the good times roll.”
“In Europe, the bird will fly by our rules,” tweeted Thierry Breton, the EU internal market commissioner.
In Europe, the bird will fly by our 🇪🇺 rules.#DSA https://t.co/95W3qzYsal
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) October 28, 2022
Elon Musk had promised to reduce Twitter content moderation, paving the way for Trump to return to the platform.
Recall that the then-president was barred due to concerns that he would incite more violence, such as the deadly attack on the US Capitol in 2021, to overturn his election loss.
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he was “very happy that Twitter is now in sane hands,” but made no commitment to return if allowed. Far-right users reacted positively to Musk’s ownership, posting comments like “masks don’t work” and other taunts, believing that moderation rules would now be relaxed.