TWITTER BEGINS ENFORCING RULES ON ´HATEFUL, ABUSIVE´ CONTENT

Twitter has begun enforcing new rules aimed at filtering out “hateful” and “abusive” content on the social network including messages which promote or glorify violence. The platform has long faced criticism over how it deals with hate groups and content, which led it to removing verification badges from prominent US white nationalists last month. Specific threats of violence or wishing for serious physical harm, death or disease to an individual or group of people will be considered as violation of twitter policies as the new rules state. Twitter will also ban any content that “glorifies violence or the perpetrators of a violent act” as well as “hateful imagery” including logos or symbols associated with “hostility and malice” toward specific groups. Twitter also made it clear that it would suspend “accounts that affiliate with organizations that use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes.” But Twitter said it would not cut off accounts for military or government entities, and would consider exceptions “for groups that are currently engaging in (or have engaged in) peaceful resolution.” The policies drew criticism last month when it took no action following one of President Donald Trump´s tweets which appeared to threaten violence against North Korea. Twitter responded with a pledge to review its policy while noting that “newsworthiness” and public interest must be considered in deciding whether to take down a tweet. One account that was no longer visible on Twitter was that Britain first leader Jayda Fransen, whose anti-Islam messages were re-tweeted by President Trump, and another leader of the group, Paul Golding.