Twitter suspensions
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
X, formerly Twitter, may suspend accounts, temporarily or permanently, from their social networking service. Suspensions of high-profile accounts often attract media attention,{{cite news|last=Naylor|first=Daisy|title=Famous People Who Have Been Banned From Twitter|url=http://thehookmag.com/2017/01/famous-people-banned-twitter-119081|work=The Hook|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029173411/http://thehookmag.com/2017/01/famous-people-banned-twitter-119081|archive-date=29 October 2017|access-date=29 October 2017}} and X's use of suspensions has been controversial.
Policy
Users who are suspended from Twitter, based on alleged violations of Twitter's terms of service, are usually not informed which of their tweets were the cause. They are told only that their accounts will not be restored. In addition to community guideline policy decisions, the Twitter DMCA-detection system and spam-detection system are sometimes manipulated or abused by groups of users attempting to force a user's suspension.{{cite news|last=Holt|first=Kris|title=Dirty digital politics: How users manipulate Twitter to silence foes|url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/twitter-politics-report-spam-user-ban|access-date=4 November 2017|date=12 June 2012|work=The Daily Dot|archive-date=12 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212081305/https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/twitter-politics-report-spam-user-ban|url-status=live}}
Some commentators, such as technology entrepreneur Declan McCullagh and law professor Glenn Reynolds, have criticized Twitter's suspension and ban policies as overreaches of power.{{cite magazine|title=Deplatforming Is a Dangerous Game|first=Declan|last=McCullagh|date=February 2019|magazine=Reason|url=https://reason.com/archives/2019/01/20/deplatforming|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331055502/https://reason.com/archives/2019/01/20/deplatforming|archive-date=31 March 2019}}{{cite news|title=When Digital Platforms Become Censors|first=Glenn Harlan|last=Reynolds|date=18 August 2018|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-digital-platforms-become-censors-1534514122?mod=rsswn|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330045941/https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-digital-platforms-become-censors-1534514122?mod=rsswn|archive-date=30 March 2019}}
History
Between 2014 and 2016, Twitter suspensions were frequently linked to ISIL-related accounts. A "Twitter suspension campaign" began in earnest in 2015, and on one day, 4 April 2015, some 10,000 accounts were suspended.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekKvDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA30|title=Considerations for Integrating Women Into Closed Occupations in U.S. Special Operations Forces|editor1-first=Thomas S.|editor1-last=Szayna|display-editors=et al|publisher=Rand Corporation|year=2016|isbn=9780833092670|chapter=Examining ISIS Support and Opposition Networks on Twitter|page=30|access-date=1 June 2020|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121022655/https://books.google.com/books?id=ekKvDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA30|url-status=live}} Twitter repeatedly shut down accounts that spread ISIL material, but new ones popped up quickly and were advertised with their old Twitter handle; Twitter in return blocked those in what was called an ongoing game of Whac-A-Mole. By August 2014, Twitter had suspended a dozen official ISIL accounts, and between September and December 2014 it suspended at least 1000 accounts promoting ISIL.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fc1mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|pages=311–12|title=Digital War: A Critical Introduction|first=William|last=Merrin|publisher=Routledge|year=2018|isbn=9781317480402|access-date=1 June 2020|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121022822/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fc1mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT311|url-status=live}} Twitter said that between mid-2015 and February 2016 it had suspended 125,000 accounts associated with ISIL and related organizations, and by August 2016 had suspended some 360,000 accounts for being associated with terrorism (not all these were ISIL-related).{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFS_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA177|title=ISIS Propaganda: A Full-Spectrum Extremist Message|editor1-first=Stephane J.|editor1-last=Baele|editor2-first=Katharine A.|editor2-last=Boyd|editor3-first=Travis G.|editor3-last=Coan|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2019|isbn=9780190932480|chapter=Islamic State's Propaganda and Social Media: Dissemination, Support, and Resilience|author1-first=Laura|author1-last=Wakeford|author2-first=Laura|author2-last=Smith|pages=155–87|access-date=1 June 2020|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121022807/https://books.google.com/books?id=CFS_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA177|url-status=live}}
In January 2016, Twitter was sued by the widow of an American man killed in the 2015 Amman shooting attack, claiming that allowing ISIL to continually use the platform, including direct messages in particular,{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/30/12717178/twitter-isis-lawsuit-direct-message-revised-complaint|title=Revived lawsuit says Twitter DMs are like handing ISIS a satellite phone|website=The Verge|first=Russell|last=Brandom|access-date=31 August 2016|date=30 August 2016|archive-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831151231/http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/30/12717178/twitter-isis-lawsuit-direct-message-revised-complaint|url-status=live}} constituted the provision of material support to a terrorist organization. Twitter disputed the claim.{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2016/01/14/lawsuit-blames-twitter-for-isis-terrorist-attack|title=Lawsuit Blames Twitter for ISIS Terrorist Attack|work=The Wall Street Journal|first=Yoree|last=Koh|access-date=16 January 2016|archive-date=17 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117151034/http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2016/01/14/lawsuit-blames-twitter-for-isis-terrorist-attack|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/01/15/can-twitter-be-liable-for-isis-tweets|title=Can Twitter Be Liable for ISIS Tweets?|work=The Wall Street Journal|first=Jacob|last=Gershman|access-date=20 January 2016|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121010523/http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2016/01/15/can-twitter-be-liable-for-isis-tweets|url-status=live}} The lawsuit was dismissed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, upholding the Section 230 safe harbor, which dictates that the operators of an interactive computer service are not liable for the content published by its users.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/10/11950098/twitter-isis-lawsuit-safe-harbor-terrorism|title=Twitter is not legally responsible for the rise of ISIS, rules California district court|website=The Verge|first=Russell|last=Brandom|access-date=11 August 2016|date=10 August 2016|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810214853/http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/10/11950098/twitter-isis-lawsuit-safe-harbor-terrorism|url-status=live}} The lawsuit was revised in August 2016, providing comparisons to other telecommunications devices.
Twitter suspended multiple parody accounts that satirized Russian politics in May 2016, sparking protests and raising questions about where the company stands on freedom of speech.{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/twitter-suspends-russian-satirical-accounts-raising-free-speech-questions/571146.html|title=Twitter Suspends Russian Satirical Accounts, Raising Free Speech Questions {{!}} News|website=The Moscow Times|date=June 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016|archive-date=1 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601132017/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/twitter-suspends-russian-satirical-accounts-raising-free-speech-questions/571146.html|url-status=live}} Following public outcry, Twitter restored the accounts the next day without explaining why the accounts had been suspended.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/02/twitter-unblocks-darthputinkgba-spoof-russia|title=Twitter unblocks spoof Putin account after widespread criticism|last1=Times|first1=The Moscow|last2=network|first2=part of the New East|date=2 June 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2 June 2016|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602133634/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/02/twitter-unblocks-darthputinkgba-spoof-russia|url-status=live}} The same day, Twitter, along with Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, jointly agreed to a European Union code of conduct obligating them to review "[the] majority of valid notifications for removal of illegal hate speech" posted on their services within 24 hours.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/31/facebook-youtube-twitter-microsoft-eu-hate-speech-code|title=Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft sign EU hate speech code|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=7 June 2016|date=31 May 2016|last=Hern|first=Alex|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414200046/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/may/31/facebook-youtube-twitter-microsoft-eu-hate-speech-code|url-status=live}} In August 2016, Twitter stated that it had banned 235,000 accounts over the past six months, bringing the overall number of suspended accounts to 360,000 accounts in the past year, for violating policies banning use of the platform to promote extremism.{{cite news|first=Elizabeth|last=Weise|title=Twitter suspends 235,000 accounts for extremism|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/08/18/twitter-suspends-235000-terrorism-extremism/88955432|newspaper=USA Today|date=18 August 2016|access-date=20 November 2016|archive-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020042009/http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/08/18/twitter-suspends-235000-terrorism-extremism/88955432|url-status=live}}
On 10 May 2019, Twitter announced that they suspended 166,513 accounts for promoting terrorism in the July–December 2018 period, stating there was a steady decrease in terrorist groups trying to use the platform owing to its "zero-tolerance policy enforcement". According to Vijaya Gadde, Legal, Policy and Trust and Safety Lead at Twitter, there was a reduction of 19% terror-related tweets from the previous reporting period (January–June 2018).{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/twitter-says-removed-over-1-6-lakh-terror-promoting-accounts-2035607|title=Removed Over 1.6 Lakh Terror-Promoting Accounts In 6 Months, Says Twitter|date=10 May 2019|work=NDTV|access-date=12 March 2021|archive-date=11 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211074135/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/twitter-says-removed-over-1-6-lakh-terror-promoting-accounts-2035607|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/09/twitter-transparency-report-terrorism-child-exploitation|title=Twitter suspensions for promoting terrorism drop yet again|last=Holt|first=Kris|date=10 May 2019|work=Engadget|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510040659/https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/09/twitter-transparency-report-terrorism-child-exploitation|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2019/05/10/twitter-transparency-report-abuse|title=Twitter's User-Reported Violations Jumped 19%—but the Number of Accounts Punished Dropped|last=Abril|first=Danielle|date=10 May 2019|work=Fortune|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613144719/https://fortune.com/2019/05/10/twitter-transparency-report-abuse|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/twitter-reports-fall-in-extreme-content|title=Twitter reports fall in extreme content|date=10 May 2019|work=SBS News|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510041213/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/twitter-reports-fall-in-extreme-content|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/twitter-has-suspended-more-than-166000-accounts-related-to-promotion-of-terrorism-6611591.html|title=TWITTER HAS SUSPENDED MORE THAN 166,000 ACCOUNTS RELATED TO PROMOTION OF TERRORISM|date=10 May 2019|work=Tech2|access-date=10 May 2019|publisher=Firstpost|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511104902/https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/twitter-has-suspended-more-than-166000-accounts-related-to-promotion-of-terrorism-6611591.html|url-status=live}}
In September 2017, Twitter responded to calls{{cite news|last=Feinberg|first=Ashley|title=Twitter's Never Going to Ban Donald Trump|url=https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-ban-donald-trump|access-date=29 October 2017|date=17 July 2017|magazine=Wired|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021808/https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-ban-donald-trump|url-status=live}} to suspend U.S. President Donald Trump's account, clarifying that they will not do so as they consider his tweets to be "newsworthy".{{cite news|last=Barsanti|first=Sam|title=Twitter releases statement confirming it'll never ban Donald Trump|url=https://www.avclub.com/twitter-releases-statement-confirming-itll-never-ban-do-1818766712|access-date=29 October 2017|date=25 September 2017|publisher=The A.V. Club|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107012707/https://www.avclub.com/twitter-releases-statement-confirming-itll-never-ban-do-1818766712|url-status=live}}
In October 2017, Twitter posted a calendar of upcoming changes related to enforcement. Among other things, Twitter promised to provide "a better experience for suspension appeals", including a detailed description to the user of how a suspended account violated the rules.{{cite web|access-date=2 November 2017|url=https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/topics/company/2017/safetycalendar.html|title=A Calendar of Our Safety Work|publisher=Twitter|date=19 October 2017|archive-date=3 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103181329/https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/topics/company/2017/safetycalendar.html|url-status=live}}
In November 2017, Twitter gave a deadline of 18 December to comply with their new policy, adding: "You also may not affiliate with organizations that—whether by their own statements or activity both on and off the platform—use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes".{{cite news|last=Flynn|first=Kerry|title=Twitter to neo-Nazis: you have until December 18|url=http://mashable.com/2017/11/17/twitter-hate-speech-symbols-december-18/#E7i6gx10_Oqk|access-date=19 December 2017|date=17 November 2017|publisher=Mashable|archive-date=18 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218230201/http://mashable.com/2017/11/17/twitter-hate-speech-symbols-december-18/#E7i6gx10_Oqk|url-status=live}} On 18 December, the accounts of several high-profile organizations were suspended.{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Aja|title=At long last, Twitter has begun banning (some, not all) Nazis|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/12/18/16790864/twitter-bans-nazis-hate-groups|access-date=19 December 2017|date=18 December 2017|work=Vox|archive-date=19 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219054928/https://www.vox.com/2017/12/18/16790864/twitter-bans-nazis-hate-groups|url-status=live}}
Following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, it was reported that the platform was planning to end the use of permanent suspensions.{{Cite web|last=Folmar|first=Chloe|date=2022-10-28|title=Musk plans to end lifetime Twitter bans|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3709000-musk-to-plans-to-end-lifetime-twitter-bans/|access-date=2022-10-28|website=The Hill|language=en-US|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028181107/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3709000-musk-to-plans-to-end-lifetime-twitter-bans/|url-status=live}} In November 2022, Musk stated that accounts that engage in impersonation without a "clear" parody label would be permanently suspended without warning.{{Cite web|last=Kolodny|first=Lora|title=Elon Musk bans impersonation without parody label on Twitter raising questions about free speech commitment|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/07/elon-musk-unlabeled-twitter-parody-accounts-risk-permanent-suspension.html|access-date=2022-11-08|website=CNBC|date=7 November 2022 |language=en|archive-date=8 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108153740/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/07/elon-musk-unlabeled-twitter-parody-accounts-risk-permanent-suspension.html|url-status=live}}
Many anti-fascist activists were purged from Twitter in November 2022 after Musk outsourced content moderation decisions to the platform's users, notably inviting right-wing journalist Andy Ngo to report anti-fascist accounts directly to him. Among those suspended were a group that provides armed security to LGBT events, accounts parodying Elon Musk, and a Palestinian news outlet known for criticizing the Israeli military.{{Cite news|last1=Mackey|first1=Robert|last2=Lee|first2=Micah|title=Left-Wing Voices Are Silenced on Twitter as Far-Right Trolls Advise Elon Musk|url=https://theintercept.com/2022/11/29/elon-musk-twitter-andy-ngo-antifascist|access-date=2022-11-30|website=The Intercept|language=en|archive-date=30 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130145949/https://theintercept.com/2022/11/29/elon-musk-twitter-andy-ngo-antifascist/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Murphy|first=Mike|title=Kathy Griffin kicked off Twitter as 'free-speech absolutist' Elon Musk cracks down on parody accounts targeting him|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/free-speech-absolutist-elon-musk-cracks-down-on-parody-accounts-targeting-him-11667781449|access-date=2022-12-01|website=MarketWatch|language=EN-US|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107012019/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/free-speech-absolutist-elon-musk-cracks-down-on-parody-accounts-targeting-him-11667781449|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2022-11-17|title=Twitter suspends Palestine Online account|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221117-twitter-suspends-palestine-online-account|access-date=2022-11-30|website=Middle East Monitor|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201220531/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221117-twitter-suspends-palestine-online-account/|url-status=live}}
Incidents
=Rose McGowan=
In October 2017, actress Rose McGowan said that Twitter had suspended her account for 12 hours after she repeatedly tweeted about former film studio executive Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual misconduct toward her and others. Twitter explained that McGowan's account had violated its privacy policy because one of her tweets included a private phone number. According to The New York Times, "Many Twitter users expressed outrage over Ms. McGowan's account being locked". After the tweet was removed, her account was unlocked several hours before the 12-hour ban was set to expire. A Twitter representative stated, "We will be clearer about these policies and decisions in the future".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/arts/rose-mcgowan-twitter-weinstein.html|title=Rose McGowan's Twitter Account Locked After Posts About Weinstein|date=12 October 2017|first1=Nellie|last1=Bowles|first2=Cara|last2=Buckley|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 March 2020|archive-date=29 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229014023/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/arts/rose-mcgowan-twitter-weinstein.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/12/rose-mcgowan-twitter-suspended-ben-affleck-harvey-weinstein|title=Rose McGowan suspended from Twitter after Ben Affleck tweets|last=Livsey|first=Anna|date=12 October 2017|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=13 October 2017|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012235826/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/12/rose-mcgowan-twitter-suspended-ben-affleck-harvey-weinstein|url-status=live}} Later that day, software engineer Kelly Ellis, using the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter, urged women to shun Twitter for 24 hours, beginning at midnight, in solidarity with McGowan and with "all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support". Several activists, celebrities, and journalists joined the boycott.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/technology/twitter-boycott-rose-mcgowan.html|title=Twitter Users Split on Boycott Over Platform's Move Against Rose McGowan|date=13 October 2017|first1=Anna|last1=Codrea-Rado|first2=Amie|last2=Tsang|work=The New York Times|access-date=3 March 2020|archive-date=4 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104072223/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/technology/twitter-boycott-rose-mcgowan.html|url-status=live}} Others criticized the level of organization and the fact that it was only 24 hours.{{cite web|url=https://observer.case.edu/kim-problems-with-women-boycotting-twitter|title=Problems with women boycotting Twitter|first=Won Hee|last=Kim|work=The Observer|date=27 October 2017|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=19 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419035719/http://observer.case.edu/kim-problems-with-women-boycotting-twitter|url-status=live}}
=2018 fake followers purge=
On 11 July 2018, The New York Times reported that Twitter would begin to delete fake follower accounts to increase the authenticity of the platform.{{cite news|last1=Confessore|first1=Nicholas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/technology/twitter-fake-followers.html|title=Battling Fake Accounts, Twitter to Slash Millions of Followers|date=11 July 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 March 2020|last2=Dance|first2=Gabriel J. X.|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=6 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306225607/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/technology/twitter-fake-followers.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/07/06/twitter-is-sweeping-out-fake-accounts-like-never-before-putting-user-growth-risk|title=Twitter is sweeping out fake accounts like never before, putting user growth at risk|first1=Craig|last1=Timberg|first2=Elizabeth|last2=Dwoskin|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=28 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528011523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/07/06/twitter-is-sweeping-out-fake-accounts-like-never-before-putting-user-growth-risk|url-status=live}}
The issue of fake follower accounts was highlighted in 2016 when Russian trolls, using both human-operated and bot accounts to appear legitimate, leveraged Twitter's reach among American voters in an interference campaign in that year's US elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/19/twitter-admits-far-more-russian-bots-posted-on-election-than-it-had-disclosed|title=Twitter admits far more Russian bots posted on election than it had disclosed|first=Jon|last=Swaine|date=20 January 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531010653/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/19/twitter-admits-far-more-russian-bots-posted-on-election-than-it-had-disclosed|url-status=live}}
Several celebrities and public figures lost substantial numbers of followers from their Twitter accounts before and after the closure of these accounts.{{cite news|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/technology/twitter-followers-nyt.html|title=In Twitter Purge, Top Accounts Lose Millions of Followers|date=12 July 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=5 March 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=6 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306145252/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/technology/twitter-followers-nyt.html|url-status=live}} These included Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Dorsey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ari Fleischer, Pope Francis, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Kathy Ireland, Paul Kagame, Ashton Kutcher, The New York Times, Shaquille O'Neal, Barack Obama, Katy Perry, Queen Rania of Jordan, Rihanna, Cristiano Ronaldo, Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Twitter themselves, Variety magazine, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and YouTube.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/twitter-follower-counts-drop-fake-users-1202871545|title=Big Twitter Accounts See Follower Numbers Drop After Fake-User Purge|first=Todd|last=Spangler|date=12 July 2018|work=Variety|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422170940/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/twitter-follower-counts-drop-fake-users-1202871545|url-status=live}}
U.S. President Donald Trump said that social networks such as Twitter were "totally discriminating" against Republican Party and conservative users.{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2019/4/24/18514772/twitter-trump-followers-meeting-jack-dorsey|title=What's up with Twitter's follower counts, explained for everyone — including Trump|first=Emily|last=Stewart|date=24 April 2019|website=Vox|access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517080527/https://www.vox.com/2019/4/24/18514772/twitter-trump-followers-meeting-jack-dorsey|url-status=live}} Twitter and its CEO Jack Dorsey clarified that the reduction in the followers count was part of the platform's efforts to cut down on spamming and bot accounts. Dorsey's own account lost about 230,000 followers in the purge.
On 27 July 2018, Twitter's stock went down by 20.5% (equivalent to $6 billion).{{cite news|last=Neate|first=Rupert|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/27/twitter-share-price-tumbles-after-it-loses-1m-users-in-three-months|title=Twitter stock plunges 20% in wake of 1m user decline|date=27 July 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 March 2020|agency=Associated Press|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920050818/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/27/twitter-share-price-tumbles-after-it-loses-1m-users-in-three-months|url-status=live}} The user base declined to 325 million, down from 326 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/27/17620440/twitter-q2-2018-earnings-1-million-mau-fall-in-spam-crackdown|title=Twitter reports a million fewer users as a result of ongoing crackdown on bots|last=Kastrenakes|first=Jacob|date=27 July 2018|website=The Verge|access-date=5 March 2020|archive-date=9 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509185334/https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/27/17620440/twitter-q2-2018-earnings-1-million-mau-fall-in-spam-crackdown|url-status=live}}
=Donald Trump=
{{Main|Social media use by Donald Trump}}
File:Screenshot of suspended account realDonaldTrump on Twitter 2020-01-09.png
On 7 January 2021, Twitter temporarily locked the account of U.S. President Donald Trump after multiple controversies, including his use of the platform to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election and to incite the January 6 United States Capitol attack. On 8 January, Twitter permanently suspended Trump's account, citing his violation of Twitter's Glorification of Violence guidelines.{{cite news|last=Fung|first=Brian|title=Twitter bans President Trump permanently.|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/tech/trump-twitter-ban/index.html|date=9 January 2021|publisher=CNN|access-date=12 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112090832/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/08/tech/trump-twitter-ban/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html|title=Permanent suspension of @realDonaldTrump|author=((Twitter Inc.))|date=8 January 2021|work=Twitter|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113192023/https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/suspension.html|url-status=live}} Twitter also suspended or heavily moderated accounts that enabled Trump to circumvent his ban, including the official @POTUS handle.{{cite web|last=Hollister|first=Sean|date=8 January 2021|title=Twitter is deleting Trump's attempts to circumvent ban|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22221683/trump-tried-to-evade-his-ban-with-potus-but-those-tweets-were-instantly-deleted|access-date=18 January 2021|website=The Verge|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111181051/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/8/22221683/trump-tried-to-evade-his-ban-with-potus-but-those-tweets-were-instantly-deleted|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Twitter Suspends Trump's Digital Director for Allowing Him to Use His Account|url=https://www.complex.com/life/2021/01/trumps-digital-director-suspended-for-allowing-trump-to-use-his-account|access-date=18 January 2021|website=Complex|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421183709/https://www.complex.com/life/2021/01/trumps-digital-director-suspended-for-allowing-trump-to-use-his-account|url-status=live}} Trump congratulated Nigeria for blocking Twitter, and wrote that he had hosted Zuckerberg for dinner in White House.{{cite web|last=Solender|first=Andrew|title=Trump Says No Friendly Dinners With Zuckerberg 'Next Time' He's President|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/06/04/trump-says-no-friendly-dinners-with-zuckerberg-next-time-hes-president|access-date=17 June 2021|website=Forbes|archive-date=27 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527230804/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/06/04/trump-says-no-friendly-dinners-with-zuckerberg-next-time-hes-president/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Trump congratulates Nigeria for Twitter ban, says more countries should do the same|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/08/trump-congratulates-nigeria-for-twitter-ban-says-more-countries-should-do-the-same/|access-date=17 June 2021|website=TechCrunch|date=9 June 2021|archive-date=26 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826123627/https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/08/trump-congratulates-nigeria-for-twitter-ban-says-more-countries-should-do-the-same/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=5 June 2021|title=Trump vows revenge on Facebook's Zuckerberg when he's 'back in the White House'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-2024-election-facebook-ban-b1860013.html|access-date=17 June 2021|website=The Independent|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606055721/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-2024-election-facebook-ban-b1860013.html|url-status=live}} Twitter was criticized for banning Trump but deleting Ali Khamenei tweets.{{cite web|title=Twitter Bans Trump, Removes Tweet by Iran's Khamenei on Same Day, Sparking 'Double Standards' Backlash|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/silicon-valley-technology_twitter-bans-trump-removes-tweet-irans-khamenei-same-day-sparking-double/6200516.html|access-date=17 June 2021|website=Voice of America|date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816092651/https://www.voanews.com/silicon-valley-technology/twitter-bans-trump-removes-tweet-irans-khamenei-same-day-sparking-double|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=21 March 2021|title=Why won't Twitter ban Khamenei when it permanently suspended Trump?|url=https://arab.news/n4z52|access-date=17 June 2021|website=Arab News|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621153355/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1829296/media|url-status=live}} Twitter also suspended the "From the Desk of Donald J. Trump" (@DJTDesk) account, citing ban evasion as the reason.{{cite web|date=10 April 2021|title=Trump's power to shape national debate wanes without tweets|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-04-10/trump-addresses-gop-as-power-to-shape-national-debate-wanes|access-date=17 June 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617205405/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-04-10/trump-addresses-gop-as-power-to-shape-national-debate-wanes|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Twitter suspends account that was posting Trump statements|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/twitter-suspends-account-was-posting-trump-statements-n1266540|access-date=17 June 2021|website=NBC News|date=6 May 2021 |archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425215757/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/twitter-suspends-account-was-posting-trump-statements-n1266540|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Dailey|first=Natasha|title=Trump's latest attempt to return to Twitter ends a day later with a suspension|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/from-the-desk-of-donald-trump-twitter-account-suspended-djtdesk-2021-5|access-date=17 June 2021|website=Business Insider|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510002508/https://www.businessinsider.com/from-the-desk-of-donald-trump-twitter-account-suspended-djtdesk-2021-5|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=7 May 2021|title=Trump social media: Twitter suspends account sharing ex-president's posts|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57018148|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603135403/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57018148|url-status=live}}
On 13 January 2021, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey tweeted about Trump's Twitter ban,{{cite tweet|last=Dorsey|first=Jack|author-link=Jack Dorsey|user=jack|number=1349510769268850690|date=13 January 2021|title=I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban @realDonaldTrump from Twitter, or how we got here. After a clear warning we'd take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter. Was this correct?|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428025446/https://twitter.com/jack/status/1349510769268850690|archive-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live}} fearing that although the ban was the correct decision for Twitter as a company, Twitter's actions "set a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation". In 2022, Dorsey has continued voicing concern over Twitter's role in internet centralization with his tweet on 2 March, stating "centralizing discovery and identity into corporations really damaged the internet. I realize I'm partially to blame, and regret it".{{cite tweet|last=Dorsey|first=Jack|author-link=Jack Dorsey|user=jack|number=1510314535671922689|date=2 April 2022|title=the days of usenet, irc, the web…even email (w PGP)…were amazing. centralizing discovery and identity into corporations really damaged the internet. I realize I'm partially to blame, and regret it.|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426235401/https://twitter.com/jack/status/1510314535671922689|archive-date=26 April 2022|url-status=live}} Internet centralization continues to be a riveting conversation surrounding Twitter and its banning policies.{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/twitter-founder-jack-dorsey-said-035839076.html|title=Twitter founder Jack Dorsey said he's 'partially to blame' for centralizing the Internet and that he regrets it|date=3 April 2022 |access-date=4 April 2022|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404112319/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/twitter-founder-jack-dorsey-said-035839076.html|url-status=live}}
On 19 November 2022, Trump's account was reinstated by Elon Musk.{{cite news|last=Milmo|first=Dan|date=20 November 2022|title=Twitter lifts Donald Trump ban after Elon Musk's poll|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/20/twitter-lifts-donald-trump-ban-after-elon-musks-poll|work=The Guardian|access-date=2022-11-20|archive-date=21 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121033830/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/20/twitter-lifts-donald-trump-ban-after-elon-musks-poll|url-status=live}} As late as August 2024, Trump had only used his Twitter account once in (August 2023 - posting about his mugshot) since its reinstatement, but had otherwise focused on making posts to his Truth Social social media platform.{{Cite news|last1=Dang|first1=Sheila|last2=Coster|first2=Helen|date=2022-11-21|title=Trump snubs Twitter after Musk announces reactivation of ex-president's account|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-twitter-poll-showing-narrow-majority-want-trump-reinstated-2022-11-20|access-date=2022-12-17|archive-date=17 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217195256/https://www.reuters.com/technology/musks-twitter-poll-showing-narrow-majority-want-trump-reinstated-2022-11-20/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=2022-11-25 |title=Why Donald Trump isn't returning to Twitter (for now) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63725948 |access-date=2024-11-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} In August 2024, Trump began posting more frequently on his account.{{Cite news |last=Conger |first=Kate |date=2024-08-12 |title=Trump Returns to X in Victory for Elon Musk |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/technology/donald-trump-elon-musk-x.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820013906/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/technology/donald-trump-elon-musk-x.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=2024-08-12 |title=Donald Trump Returns to Posting on X/Twitter After Year-Long Break Ahead of Elon Musk Interview |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/donald-trump-returns-x-twitter-1236104163/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=20 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820013906/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/donald-trump-returns-x-twitter-1236104163/ |url-status=live }} In February 2025, X settled a lawsuit filed by Trump in response to his suspension paying him approximately $10 million.{{Cite news |last=Haberman |first=Maggie |last2=Conger |first2=Kate |date=2025-02-13 |title=Elon Musk’s X Settles Trump Lawsuit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/technology/musk-x-settles-trump-lawsuit.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
=2022 suspensions of journalists=
{{main|December 2022 Twitter suspensions}}
File:Journalists Suspended.webp
On 15 December 2022, ten journalists, including journalists from The New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, and Voice of America had their accounts suspended. Musk claimed that the accounts had received a seven-day suspension for violating the platforms "doxxing" policy by sharing his "exact real-time location", with him comparing it to "assassination coordinates". However, it was reported that none of the suspended journalists had actually shared Musk's precise real-time location on their accounts.{{Cite web|last=Darcy|first=Oliver|date=2022-12-16|title=Elon Musk bans several prominent journalists from Twitter, calling into question his commitment to free speech {{!}} CNN Business|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/15/media/twitter-musk-journalists-hnk-intl/index.html|access-date=2022-12-16|website=CNN|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216014051/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/15/media/twitter-musk-journalists-hnk-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Chen|first1=Shawna|last2=Fischer|first2=Sara|date=2022-12-16|title=Twitter suspends several journalists' accounts without notice|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/16/elon-musk-twitter-free-speech-journalists-suspended|access-date=2022-12-16|website=Axios|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216210152/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/16/elon-musk-twitter-free-speech-journalists-suspended|url-status=live}}
The suspensions were condemned by the United Nations, while the European Union threatened sanctions against Twitter under the EU's Digital Services Act that is scheduled to take effect in 2023 and requires social media companies to "respect media freedom and fundamental rights".{{Cite web|date=2022-12-16|title=UN slams Twitter's move to ban journalists as EU threatens sanctions|url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/12/16/twitter-suspends-the-accounts-of-several-journalists-who-wrote-about-elon-musk|access-date=2022-12-16|website=euronews|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216225149/https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/12/16/twitter-suspends-the-accounts-of-several-journalists-who-wrote-about-elon-musk|url-status=live}} A number of American Democratic Party lawmakers also criticized the bans.{{Cite web|last=Shapero|first=Julia|date=2022-12-16|title=Ocasio-Cortez, Democrats blast Musk over Twitter bans: 'Maybe try putting down your phone'|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3777830-ocasio-cortez-democrats-blast-musk-over-twitter-bans-maybe-try-putting-down-your-phone/|access-date=2022-12-16|website=The Hill|language=en-US|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216225145/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3777830-ocasio-cortez-democrats-blast-musk-over-twitter-bans-maybe-try-putting-down-your-phone/|url-status=live}}
Reporters Without Borders warned that if the suspensions were in retaliation for the journalists' work on Musk, they would be a "serious violation of the journalists' right to report the news without fear of reprisal".{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Sara|date=2022-12-16|title=Twitter press suspensions become media flashpoint|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/16/twitter-journalist-suspensions-media-elon-musk|access-date=2022-12-16|website=Axios|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216225147/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/16/twitter-journalist-suspensions-media-elon-musk|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Musk/Twitter: establish democratic control before it's too late {{!}} RSF|url=https://rsf.org/en/musktwitter-establish-democratic-control-it-s-too-late|access-date=2022-12-16|website=rsf.org|date=16 December 2022 |language=en|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216225308/https://rsf.org/en/musktwitter-establish-democratic-control-it-s-too-late|url-status=live}}
Most of the suspensions were lifted the next day, on 16 December 2022, after Musk put the decision on whether to reinstate the suspended accounts through an informal poll where 58.7% of voters chose lifting the suspensions immediately over 41.3% who voted to have the suspensions be lifted after 7 more days.{{Cite news|last=Kim|first=Juliana|date=2022-12-17|title=Elon Musk reinstates suspended journalists on Twitter after a backlash|language=en|work=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/17/1143796992/twitter-lifts-suspensions-on-several-journalists-amid-rift-between-the-site-and-|access-date=2022-12-17|archive-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219004937/https://www.npr.org/2022/12/17/1143796992/twitter-lifts-suspensions-on-several-journalists-amid-rift-between-the-site-and-|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Dang|first=Sheila|date=2022-12-17|title=Elon Musk restores Twitter accounts of journalists but concerns persist|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-twitter-suspension-journalists-draws-global-backlash-2022-12-16|access-date=2022-12-17|archive-date=17 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217211135/https://www.reuters.com/technology/elon-musks-twitter-suspension-journalists-draws-global-backlash-2022-12-16/|url-status=live}} The unbanned accounts remained restricted from posting until they removed the tweets that were claimed to be in violation of Twitter rules. Some of the journalists later appealed the decision, arguing their tweets were not in violation.{{Cite web|last=Darcy|first=Oliver|date=2022-12-17|title=Elon Musk offers journalists he banned from Twitter ability to return under certain condition {{!}} CNN Business|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/elon-musk-twitter-ban-reverse-conditions/index.html|access-date=2022-12-18|website=CNN|language=en|archive-date=27 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127083127/https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/17/business/elon-musk-twitter-ban-reverse-conditions/index.html|url-status=live}}
List of notable suspensions
=2010–2015=
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=2016=
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=2017=
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=2018=
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=2019=
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=2020=
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=2021=
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=2022=
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=2023=
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=2024=
=2025=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Individual/account
!Description !Date !Duration !style=width:50%|Reason for suspension |
|---|
| Thomas Sewell
|Australian political activist |5 February 2025 | |[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australian-neo-nazis-suspended-from-x-20250205-p5l9oj.html] |
| Blair Cottrell
|Australian political activist |5 February 2025 | |[https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australian-neo-nazis-suspended-from-x-20250205-p5l9oj.html] |
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Twitter navbox}}
Category:Lists of Internet suspensions