See why Twitter's CEO is calling Donald Trump's account ban "dangerous"
Following the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week, Twitter permanently suspended Donald Trump‘s account.
Now, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is opening up about the decision and the ramifications of banning the president from the platform.
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Clearly, Donald Trump and Twitter had a very tumultuous relationship. Over the years, various tweets from the president were slapped with warning labels and largely scrutinized by the public.
Then, last week, the social media platform had enough. Trump’s account was initially suspended for 12 hours after violating Twitter’s civic liberty policy. However, after Trump returned and posted tweets that violated policies again, Twitter suspended his account permanently.
Since his ban, Trump has returned to Twitter, but exclusively on the official White House account. Earlier this week, Trump reemerged to give a brief speech that officially denounced the riots that transpired at the U.S. Capitol.
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“No true supporter of mine could ever endorse political violence,” he says. “No true supporter of mine could ever disrespect law enforcement or our great American flag…If you do any of these things, you are not supporting our movement. You’re attacking it and you’re attacking our country.”
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 13, 2021
Now, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has opened up about Donald Trump’s account ban. In a series of tweets, Dorsey shares his beliefs that Twitter made the right decision. Although it’s unfortunate Trump had to be banned, Dorsey believes that it all came down to public safety.
“I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban @realDonaldTrump from Twitter, or how we got here,” he says. “After a clear warning we’d take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter. Was this correct?
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I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.”
I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
However, Dorsey does note that the ban proves Twitter’s failure to promote healthy conversation. As well, he believes that Trump’s ban is “dangerous” and shows just how much power a company or social media platform can have on the world.
“That said, having to ban an account has real and significant ramifications. While there are clear and obvious exceptions, I feel a ban is a failure of ours ultimately to promote healthy conversation. And a time for us to reflect on our operations and the environment around us.
Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation. They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning. And sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.”
Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation. They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning. And sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
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Despite the ramifications Twitter may face because of the ban, Dorsey says users can turn to other platforms if they don’t want to align with Twitter’s policies.
“The check and accountability on this power has always been the fact that a service like Twitter is one small part of the larger public conversation happening across the internet. If folks do not agree with our rules and enforcement, they can simply go to another internet service.
This concept was challenged last week when a number of foundational internet tool providers also decided not to host what they found dangerous. I do not believe this was coordinated. More likely: companies came to their own conclusions or were emboldened by the actions of others.”
This concept was challenged last week when a number of foundational internet tool providers also decided not to host what they found dangerous. I do not believe this was coordinated. More likely: companies came to their own conclusions or were emboldened by the actions of others.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
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“This moment in time might call for this dynamic, but over the long term it will be destructive to the noble purpose and ideals of the open internet. A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from a government removing access, yet can feel much the same.”
This moment in time might call for this dynamic, but over the long term it will be destructive to the noble purpose and ideals of the open internet. A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from a government removing access, yet can feel much the same.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
For now, Trump has some bigger problems to face instead of getting his Twitter account back. On Wednesday, the House Of Representatives officially impeached him for the second time. The case is now moving to the Senate for a trial where it will be determined if Trump is guilty of inciting an insurrection stemming from the U.S. Capitol riots.
What are your reactions to Jack Dorsey’s comments about Trump’s Twitter ban? Let us know in the comments below.
