With the banner of “free speech” and the “future of civilization” in their hands, Elon Musk It eliminated all kinds of prohibitions regarding the “fake news” about COVID on Twitter. It is part of the new policies of the tycoon in his social network.
During the pandemic, Twitter removed posts and suspended accounts for spreading false news about COVID, which left nearly 15 million deaths worldwide. (according to WHO).
Twitter’s policy followed consultations with experts, including US health authorities.
But everything changed.
Elon Musk and his rudder on Twitter
“From November 23, 2022, Twitter no longer enforces the misleading information policy on COVID-19″, said the platform in a brief update.
Musk has indicated that the changes in general in the social network are made to “protect freedom of expression.” The tycoon said that there are Twitter files on the suppression of information, and that they would be published soon on the platform.
This is a battle for the future of civilization. If free speech is lost even in America, tyranny is all that lies ahead.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2022
“This is a battle for the future of civilization. If free speech is lost even in America, tyranny is all that lies ahead,” Musk tweeted.
The changes on Twitter have been several since Musk paid $44 billion for the company. They range from the dismissal of almost half the workforce, through the sale of the verification badge and the restoration of accounts that had been suspended for violating community policies.
Many companies and advertisers have moved away from the platform due to these changes.
The warnings of an epidemiologist regarding the change in Twitter’s policy against COVID
Eric Feigl-Ding, an American epidemiologist, stated that Twitter’s new position regarding false or misleading news about COVID-19 is negative.
“Bad news: It looks like Twitter just updated its COVID misleading information policy. The eleven thousand or more accounts that were suspended under the previous policy will soon be restored.” Feigl-Ding warned.
And he launched a petition to those who are leaving the social network due to their differences with Musk: “Stay friends! Don’t give up the town square to them!”
“It is time to roll up our sleeves to fight. Don’t back down.”