Twitter on Friday issued a statement defending its decision not to suspend or remove tweets from political figures and world leaders, in response to protests that President Donald Trump was violating its terms of service with tweets that taunt North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Without mentioning Trump by name, Twitter said in a blog post that political figures and world leaders “play a critical role” in public conversations “because of their outsized impact on our society.”
Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets, would hide important information people should be able to see and debate,” the company said. “It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”
Twitter added, “We review Tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly. No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth or influences these decisions. We work hard to remain unbiased with the public interest in mind.”
On Tuesday, Trump tweeted, “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.’ Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”
Twitter received a number of complaints that the tweet was a violation of its terms of service that prohibit violent threats, but the company declined to take it down or suspend Trump’s account. They have made exceptions in the past for government and military officials, and also take into consideration the newsworthiness of posts.
Post Your Comments