Twitter, an insecure social network for its users? This is what Yoel Roth, the former head of integrity of the social network, says in an interview with CNN. This announcement comes after the dismissal and resignation of thousands of employees of the American company since its takeover by billionaire Elon Musk.
Twitter Blue, a real “disaster”
Yoel Roth had previously backed Musk’s efforts on security policy. A few days later, resigned, Roth ended up abruptly resigning from his post. A decision attributed to a difference of opinion with Elon Musk by outside observers. This Tuesday, November 29, the former head of content moderation spoke publicly for the first time since leaving the company, at a Knight Foundation conference.
For him, the social network in its current version is no longer a safe place for its users. The dismissal of the majority of the company’s employees and the cancellation of the contracts of subcontractors in charge of moderation are all factors that can lead to a drift of the platform.
Finally, the implementation of the Twitter Blue subscription service finally convinced Yoel Roth to leave. This new service, which allows you to certify your account for 8 dollars per month, is a real “disaster”, according to the former official relayed by CNN. Barely launched, hundreds of fake accounts had emerged on the American platform. Impersonations that led to the postponement of the launch of this new product. “Things went off the rails exactly as we planned”assures Yoel Roth.
The moderation of the content in question
The former social network security manager also mentions the almost total absence of content moderation. The algorithms are still working, but the presence of humans is essential to track down people who slip through the cracks. “People don’t stand still. They are actively designing new ways to be horrible on the internet”explains Yoel Roth.
Will Twitter hold up to the shock of the Musk era? Nothing is less sure. Yoel Roth encourages its users to watch out for several warning signs of a general failure of the social network. If the operation of the main security functions, such as muting, blocking or even protected tweets, were to be disrupted, the American platform could then experience its last hours, according to the former executive.
The news should not help to restore a climate of confidence on the network. Twitter announced on Tuesday the end of the removal of false information relating to Covid-19. “As of November 23, 2022, Twitter no longer enforces the Covid-19 Misrepresentation Policy”informs the company in a press release.