SAN FRANCISCO – Twitter’s new CEO Elon Musk said Sunday (Nov. 6) the social media platform’s mission was to become the world’s most accurate source of information, sparking debate over how it would achieve that and who determines that. what is correct
A flurry of drastic measures including sacking half its staff and charging users since he took over Twitter in a $44 billion (S$62 billion) deal just about a week ago has provided some early clues as to how the platform will be reshaped by the world’s richest. person.
Some advertisers have pulled back spending since the deal was announced, with Musk blaming activist groups for pressuring advertisers amid concerns about its content moderation.
“Twitter must become the most accurate source of information for the world. That’s our mission,” Musk said on Sunday.
His tweet immediately generated tens of thousands of replies and provoked lively debate about how the mission will be achieved.
“Correct to whom?” asked Twitter founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey.
Musk, who also runs electric vehicle company Tesla and rocket firm SpaceX, said last month that Twitter would form a council to moderate content with “very different viewpoints.”
The self-described free-speech absolutist said at the time that no major content decisions or account resets will happen before that council convenes.
Musk also said Sunday that Twitter users who engage in impersonation without clearly specifying it as a “parody” account will be permanently suspended without warning.
exactly who?
— jack (@jack) November 7, 2022
He said Twitter previously issued a warning before the suspension, but while Twitter is doing extensive verification, there will be no warning and “no exceptions.”
“This will be clearly identified as a condition of signing up for Twitter Blue,” Musk said, adding that any name changes would cause a temporary loss of the verified token.
Twitter on Saturday updated its app on Apple’s App Store to start charging US$8 for required blue checkmarks as it looks to boost revenue.
[[nid:604035]]
Benefits of the verification service will include “half the ads,” the ability to post longer videos on Twitter and priority ranking for quality content, Twitter said.
But earlier Sunday, the New York Times reported that Twitter is delaying rolling out verification tokens to subscribers of its new service until after Tuesday’s midterm elections.
In a further sign of confusion following Mr Musk’s takeover, Twitter is now contacting dozens of employees who lost their jobs and asking them to return, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday.
Some of those being asked to return were wrongly fired. Others were let go before management realized their work and experience might be needed to build the new features Mr. Musk envisions, the report said, citing people familiar with the moves.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the hiring effort.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
