Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech autocrat,” has been critical of Twitter’s policies to moderate content on the platform.
Musk, who describes himself as a “free speech autocrat,” has been critical of Twitter’s policies to moderate content on the platform.
Human rights groups raised concerns on Twitter on Monday about hate speech and the power that its takeover by Elon Musk would give the billionaire after the self-described “free speech autocrat”. Made a deal to take the social media platform private.
Mr Musk, who is also the chief executive of electric car maker Tesla Inc., describes himself as a “free speech absolutist” who has been critical of Twitter’s policies to moderate content on the platform. He has said that Twitter needs to become a real platform for freedom of expression. In a statement after securing the deal on Monday, Mr Musk described free speech as “the cornerstone of a functioning democracy”.
Twitter isn’t just another company, human rights advocates noted. “Regardless of who owns Twitter, the company has human rights responsibilities to respect the rights of people around the world who rely on the platform. Changes, large and small, to its policies, features and algorithms, are inconsistent and ever-changing. Sometimes there can be devastating effects, including offline violence,” Deborah Brown, a digital rights researcher and advocate for Human Rights Watch, told Reuters in an email.
“Freedom of expression is not an absolute right, which is why Twitter needs to invest in efforts to keep its most vulnerable users safe on the platform,” he said.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the concerns raised by the groups.
Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “While Elon Musk is the ACLU card-carrying member and one of our most important supporters, there is too much risk of so much power in the hands of any one person.” Reuters after the deal was announced.
Amnesty International said it was concerned about any possible decisions that could be taken by Twitter following its acquisition of Mr. Musk to implement policies and mechanisms designed to moderate hate speech online.
“The last thing we need is a Twitter that deliberately turns a blind eye to violent and abusive speech against users, especially women, including non-binary individuals and others who are most affected,” Michael Kleinman Amnesty International USA, director of technology and human rights, said on Monday.