Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey defends Trump ban, admits corporate power sets ‘dangerous’ precedent



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Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey spoke on Wednesday about his company’s decision last week to ban President Trump from its platform.

“I’m not proud of having to ban @realDonaldTrump, nor of how we got here,” a long Twitter thread began. “After a clear warning we took this action, we made a decision with the best information we had on the basis of the physical security threats both on and off Twitter. Was this correct?

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“I think it was the right move for Twitter,” Dorsey continued. “We were faced with an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, which forces us to focus all our actions on public safety. The offline harm resulting from online speech is clearly real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all else.

“That said, banning an account has real and important ramifications. While there are clear and obvious exceptions, I think a ban is our ultimate failure to promote healthy conversation. Now is the time for us to reflect on our operations and the environment around us, ”continued the CEO.

Dorsey acknowledged that taking such steps “fragments the public conversation,” “divides us” and “limits the potential for clarification, redemption and learning.” He also admitted that his company’s power in the “global public conversation” had set a “dangerous” precedent.

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“The control and accountability for that power has always been the fact that a service like Twitter is a small part of the larger public conversation that takes place on the Internet. If people don’t agree with our rules and their application, they can just go to another Internet service, ”Dorsey wrote.

The CEO went on to point the finger at other social media giants who also suspended or permanently banned Trump’s accounts, writing “I don’t think this was coordinated” but saying these companies were probably “emboldened” by the actions of their competitors.

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“This moment in time might demand that dynamic, but in the long run it will be destructive to the lofty goal and ideals of the Open Internet,” Dorsey said. “A company that makes the business decision to moderate is different from a government removing access, but it can feel the same. Yes, we all need to critically examine the inconsistencies in our policy and its application. , we need to examine how our service can induce distraction and prejudice. Yes, we need more transparency in our moderation operations. All of this cannot erode a free and open global Internet. “

Dorsey then highlighted a Twitter-funded initiative called “bluesky,” which he said would hopefully determine an “open decentralized standard for social media.” He then promised to commit to “public transparency” as the program developed.

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“It is important that we recognize that we are living in a time of great uncertainty and struggle for so many people around the world. Our goal right now is to disarm as much as we can and make sure we all move towards a greater common understanding and a more peaceful existence on earth, ”Dorsey continued. “I believe the Internet and global public conversation is our best and most relevant method of doing this. I also agree that this is not the case today. Everything we learn in this moment will improve our efforts. and will push us to be what we are: one humanity working together. “

After the Jan.6 riot on Capitol Hill, Twitter concluded that allowing Trump to return to the social media platform risked “further inciting violence.”

Highlighting two relatively tame tweets from the president, one of which said he would not attend Biden’s January 20 inauguration, the company argued that they needed to be seen in a larger context.

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“These two Tweets should be read in the context of larger events in the country and how the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the model. of behavior of this narrative in recent weeks, ”the company said. “After evaluating the language of these Tweets against our Glorification of Violence policy, we have determined that these Tweets are in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy and that the user @realDonaldTrump should immediately be permanently suspended from service.”

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