Musk listens to feedback, reverses new policy banning the promotion of other platforms

As if there wasn’t enough controversy swirling around Twitter, the social media platform announced a short-lived policy change Sunday that would essentially ban all posts linking to rival social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon, which is where liberals who fear free speech were migrating to.

“We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter,” a now-deleted tweet from Twitter Support announced.

“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post,” a follow up tweet said. “We still allow cross-posting content from any social media platform. Posting links or usernames to social media platforms not listed above are also not in violation of this policy.”

There was plenty of blowback from users, including former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey questioning the decision. There was also this exchange:

Musk would soon announce that the policy was being adjusted — the tweets announcing the change were also scrubbed.

“Policy will be adjusted to suspending accounts only when that account’s *primary* purpose is promotion of competitors, which essentially falls under the no spam rule,” he explained.

“Going forward, there will be a vote for major policy changes,” the new Twitter boss added. “My apologies. Won’t happen again.”

The incident was not a stellar reflection on Musk, implying that decisions were being made in a willy-nilly, seat-of-the-pants manner. Soon after, he would post another one of his polls asking Twitter users to weigh in — this time on whether he should remain at the helm of the company as its CEO.

After more than 17 million votes, the results are not favorable for those who appreciate what Musk brings to the table, with 57.5% voting for him to step down. As seen below, the billionaire said he would abide by the results.

He followed up on the poll with this tweet: “As the saying goes, be careful what you wish, as you might get it.”

Tom Tillison

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