What’s going through Elon Musk’s head? The billionaire panics and introduces a new rule that prohibits Twitter users from promoting Mastodon, Instagram or even Facebook.
After numerous departures and dismissals and the loss of several advertisers, the billionaire continues to apply his variable geometry conception of freedom of expression. After blocking the accounts of many journalists and then reinstating them, Twitter is banning the promotion of its competitors.
Twitter hardens the tone
Twitter tightens its moderation policy. Is Elon Musk afraid of Mastodon? After blocking outbound links to certain Mastodon instances, Twitter is stepping up a gear. Now, Twitter users are no longer allowed to tell their followers to go to Mastodon, for example. Penalties for this rule include deleting tweets and even suspending accounts.
We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) December 18, 2022
The new rule does not only affect Mastodon, since several platforms are also affected, including Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Thurth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post. In addition to promotional tweets, you are also no longer allowed to include Mastodon accounts or links in Twitter bios. Note that LinkedIn or YouTube are not mentioned.
Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content containing links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post .
This new rule is a good example of Elon Musk’s variable geometry approach to moderation. It also illustrates yet another important drift of Elon Musk.
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