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[[File:Twitter-logo.png|thumb|327x327px|Former logo of Twitter.]] | [[File:Twitter-logo.png|thumb|327x327px|Former logo of Twitter.]] | ||
'''Twitter''' is a popular corporate [[social media]] platform. It is premised around short instances of user-created content known as ''tweets'',<ref group="note">Officially called ''"posts"'' since the site's rebranding.</ref> and is distinguished from other social networking sites for its emphasis on content delivered in a ''microblogging'' format. Since 2022, Twitter, later renamed to '''X''', was taken over by billionaire [[Elon Musk]]. The site began to decline as a whole and see a massive increase in [[Rightism|right-wing extremist]] activity and content.<ref>Kate Lyons (April 27, 2024). ''[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/28/the-demise-of-twitter-how-a-utopian-vision-for-social-media-became-a-toxic-mess "The demise of Twitter: how a ‘utopian vision’ for social media became a ‘toxic mess’"]''. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 28, 2024.</ref> | '''Twitter''' is a popular corporate [[social media]] platform. It is premised around short instances of user-created content known as ''tweets'',<ref group="note">Officially called ''"posts"'' since the site's rebranding.</ref> and is distinguished from other social networking sites for its emphasis on content delivered in a ''microblogging'' format. Since 2022, Twitter, later renamed to '''X''', was taken over by billionaire [[Elon Musk]]. The site began to decline as a whole and see a massive increase in [[Rightism|right-wing extremist]] activity and content.<ref>Kate Lyons (April 27, 2024). ''[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/28/the-demise-of-twitter-how-a-utopian-vision-for-social-media-became-a-toxic-mess "The demise of Twitter: how a ‘utopian vision’ for social media became a ‘toxic mess’"]''. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 28, 2024.</ref> | ||
== History == | |||
=== Takeover by Elon Musk === | |||
{{Main|Elon Musk}} | |||
In 2022, Elon Musk acquired the popular social media platform Twitter, a move which has proven disastrous for the site and its users. Almost immediately after the acquisition of the site, Musk fired most of its dedicated workforce (including moderators) in a matter of days,<ref>[https://neuters.de/technology/twitter-start-layoffs-friday-morning-internal-email-2022-11-04/ Twitter lays off staff, Musk blames activists for ad revenue drop] by Sheila Dang, Katie Paul and Paresh Dave (4 November 2022) ''Reuters''</ref> restricted access to the site's API, harming third-party and [[open-source]] clients,<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/16/twitters-third-party-client-issue-is-seemingly-a-deliberate-suspension/ Twitter’s third-party client issue is seemingly a deliberate suspension] by Ivan Mehta (16 January 2023) ''TechCrunch''</ref> made account creation mandatory to view posts,<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/30/twitter-now-requires-an-account-to-view-tweets/ Twitter now requires an account to view tweets] by Amanda Silberling (30 June 2023) ''TechCrunch''</ref> along with other harmful policies.[[File:X-twitter.png|thumb|Propaganda representing Musk's cult of personality and policies resulting in ex-Twitter becoming a far-right "alt-tech" platform.]]Musk received support from right-wing supporters of freedom of speech when he announced his intention to reduce censorship on the platform. However, it has been shown that the self-induced lack of moderation, in tandem with Musk's insistence that Twitter become a "free-speech platform," resulted in a massive increase in hate speech<ref>[https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/2/23489808/elon-musk-twitter-hate-speech-increase-content-moderation Hate speech is soaring on Twitter under Elon Musk, report finds] by Mia Sato (December 2, 2022) ''The Verge''</ref> while resulting in an inconsistent, often right-leaning interpretation of "free speech".<!--Expand here based on linked sources! QAnon, etc.--><ref>{{cite web | last=Mackey | first=Robert | last2=Lee | first2=Micah | title=Left-Wing Voices Are Silenced on Twitter as Far-Right Trolls Advise Elon Musk | website=The Intercept | date=29 Nov 2022 | url=https://theintercept.com/2022/11/29/elon-musk-twitter-andy-ngo-antifascist/ | access-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref><ref name="bisyme">{{cite web | last=Syme | first=Pete | title=A leaked internal message appears to show Elon Musk ordered Twitter staff to suspend a left-wing activist's account | website=Business Insider | date=27 Jan 2023 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-leaked-internal-message-suggests-musk-ordered-leftwing-account-freeze-2023-1?op=1 | access-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=QAnon supporters, bigots, and white nationalists: Here are the far-right accounts Elon Musk is catering to following Twitter’s rebrand to X | website=Media Matters for America | date=1 Aug 2023 | url=https://www.mediamatters.org/elon-musk/qanon-supporters-bigots-and-white-nationalists-here-are-far-right-accounts-elon-musk | ref={{sfnref | Media Matters for America | 2023}} | access-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> This includes at least one instance where Musk directly ordered the suspension of one left-wing activist's account, apparently on political grounds.<ref name="bisyme" /> | |||
==== Rebranding to "X" ==== | |||
In late July 2023, Musk abruptly initiated the process of rebranding Twitter to "𝕏,"<ref group="note">Sometimes called pejoratively "ex-Twitter" by critics such as [[Richard Stallman]]. This has the effect of recognizing that Twitter is now longer "Twitter," but nonetheless refusing to comply with Musk's new naming of the platform.</ref> following an ad-hoc, day-long poll to decide upon a new name and logo.<ref name=":0">[https://www.techradar.com/computing/social-media/why-is-twitter-now-x-elon-musks-rebrand-explained-and-where-x-is-going-next Why is Twitter called X now? Elon Musk's rebrand explained and where it's going next] by Mark Wilson (5 August 2023) ''techradar''</ref> The rebranding has caused widespread confusion amongst users<ref name=":0" /> and has otherwise proceeded sluggishly. | |||
== Content == | == Content == | ||
{{Expand section|date=April 2024}} | {{Expand section|date=April 2024}} | ||
Content on Twitter, like other corporate social media, generates an environment which | Content on Twitter, like other corporate social media, generates an environment which creates abdication among users. Twitter also creates a stressful setting which splits users into "in-groups" and "out-groups" based on their network of followers.<ref>Judson Brewer (December 13, 2016). [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-craving-mind/201612/tweet-or-troll-why-twitter-is-amazingly-addictive ''"Tweet or Troll? Why Twitter Is Amazingly Addictive"'']. ''Psychology Today''. Retrieved April 28, 2024.</ref> | ||
=== Censorship === | |||
Twitter has openly admitted to installing an in-built bias in its algorithm which amplifies the reach of tweets from right-wing politicians and news organization over progressive and [[Leftism|left-wing]] activists. In many cases, rightist-orientated accounts got over twice the amount of engagement over their center-right counterparts, to say nothing of socialist accounts.<ref>Dan Milmo (October 21, 2021). [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/22/twitter-admits-bias-in-algorithm-for-rightwing-politicians-and-news-outlets ''"Twitter admits bias in algorithm for rightwing politicians and news outlets"'']. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 29, 2024.</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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* [https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2021/07/07/we-make-mistakes-twitters-embrace-extreme-far-right 'We Make Mistakes': Twitter's Embrace of the Extreme Far Right] on the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] website | * [https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2021/07/07/we-make-mistakes-twitters-embrace-extreme-far-right 'We Make Mistakes': Twitter's Embrace of the Extreme Far Right] on the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] website | ||
* [https://stallman.org/twitter.html Ex-Twitter page] on [[Richard Stallman|Richard Stallman's]] website | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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=== Notes === | === Notes === | ||
<references group="note" /> | <references group="note" /> | ||
[[Category:Websites]] | [[Category:Websites]] |
Latest revision as of 23:14, 1 May 2024
Twitter is a popular corporate social media platform. It is premised around short instances of user-created content known as tweets,[note 1] and is distinguished from other social networking sites for its emphasis on content delivered in a microblogging format. Since 2022, Twitter, later renamed to X, was taken over by billionaire Elon Musk. The site began to decline as a whole and see a massive increase in right-wing extremist activity and content.[1]
History
Takeover by Elon Musk
In 2022, Elon Musk acquired the popular social media platform Twitter, a move which has proven disastrous for the site and its users. Almost immediately after the acquisition of the site, Musk fired most of its dedicated workforce (including moderators) in a matter of days,[2] restricted access to the site's API, harming third-party and open-source clients,[3] made account creation mandatory to view posts,[4] along with other harmful policies.
Musk received support from right-wing supporters of freedom of speech when he announced his intention to reduce censorship on the platform. However, it has been shown that the self-induced lack of moderation, in tandem with Musk's insistence that Twitter become a "free-speech platform," resulted in a massive increase in hate speech[5] while resulting in an inconsistent, often right-leaning interpretation of "free speech".[6][7][8] This includes at least one instance where Musk directly ordered the suspension of one left-wing activist's account, apparently on political grounds.[7]
Rebranding to "X"
In late July 2023, Musk abruptly initiated the process of rebranding Twitter to "𝕏,"[note 2] following an ad-hoc, day-long poll to decide upon a new name and logo.[9] The rebranding has caused widespread confusion amongst users[9] and has otherwise proceeded sluggishly.
Content
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2024) |
Content on Twitter, like other corporate social media, generates an environment which creates abdication among users. Twitter also creates a stressful setting which splits users into "in-groups" and "out-groups" based on their network of followers.[10]
Censorship
Twitter has openly admitted to installing an in-built bias in its algorithm which amplifies the reach of tweets from right-wing politicians and news organization over progressive and left-wing activists. In many cases, rightist-orientated accounts got over twice the amount of engagement over their center-right counterparts, to say nothing of socialist accounts.[11]
See also
External links
- 'We Make Mistakes': Twitter's Embrace of the Extreme Far Right on the Southern Poverty Law Center website
- Ex-Twitter page on Richard Stallman's website
References
- ↑ Kate Lyons (April 27, 2024). "The demise of Twitter: how a ‘utopian vision’ for social media became a ‘toxic mess’". The Guardian. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ↑ Twitter lays off staff, Musk blames activists for ad revenue drop by Sheila Dang, Katie Paul and Paresh Dave (4 November 2022) Reuters
- ↑ Twitter’s third-party client issue is seemingly a deliberate suspension by Ivan Mehta (16 January 2023) TechCrunch
- ↑ Twitter now requires an account to view tweets by Amanda Silberling (30 June 2023) TechCrunch
- ↑ Hate speech is soaring on Twitter under Elon Musk, report finds by Mia Sato (December 2, 2022) The Verge
- ↑ Mackey, Robert; Lee, Micah (29 Nov 2022). "Left-Wing Voices Are Silenced on Twitter as Far-Right Trolls Advise Elon Musk". The Intercept. Retrieved 19 Oct 2023.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Syme, Pete (27 Jan 2023). "A leaked internal message appears to show Elon Musk ordered Twitter staff to suspend a left-wing activist's account". Business Insider. Retrieved 19 Oct 2023.
- ↑ "QAnon supporters, bigots, and white nationalists: Here are the far-right accounts Elon Musk is catering to following Twitter's rebrand to X". Media Matters for America. 1 Aug 2023. Retrieved 19 Oct 2023.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Why is Twitter called X now? Elon Musk's rebrand explained and where it's going next by Mark Wilson (5 August 2023) techradar
- ↑ Judson Brewer (December 13, 2016). "Tweet or Troll? Why Twitter Is Amazingly Addictive". Psychology Today. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ↑ Dan Milmo (October 21, 2021). "Twitter admits bias in algorithm for rightwing politicians and news outlets". The Guardian. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
Notes
- ↑ Officially called "posts" since the site's rebranding.
- ↑ Sometimes called pejoratively "ex-Twitter" by critics such as Richard Stallman. This has the effect of recognizing that Twitter is now longer "Twitter," but nonetheless refusing to comply with Musk's new naming of the platform.