DC Trawler

#NotAllMuslims Get Kicked Off Twitter

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Just 125,000 accounts so far. Probably all from the same troll, right?

From the official Twitter blog:

Like most people around the world, we are horrified by the atrocities perpetrated by extremist groups. We condemn the use of Twitter to promote terrorism and the Twitter Rules make it clear that this type of behavior, or any violent threat, is not permitted on our service. As the nature of the terrorist threat has changed, so has our ongoing work in this area. Since the middle of 2015 alone, we’ve suspended over 125,000 accounts for threatening or promoting terrorist acts, primarily related to ISIS…

As an open platform for expression, we have always sought to strike a balance between the enforcement of our own Twitter Rules covering prohibited behaviors, the legitimate needs of law enforcement, and the ability of users to share their views freely – including views that some people may disagree with or find offensive…

As many experts and other companies have noted, there is no “magic algorithm” for identifying terrorist content on the internet, so global online platforms are forced to make challenging judgement calls based on very limited information and guidance.

Twitter doesn’t always succeed in this — just ask @Nero — but it’s good to hear they’re at least trying to exercise better judgment. They have to walk a tightrope, maintaining a global, 24/7 free speech free-for-all without enabling terrorism. I’m glad they’re spending at least part of their day fending off ISIS. Gives them a break from going after anybody who hurts the feelings of purple-haired feminists.

Believe it or not, ladies, the Islamist freaks who burn people alive and throw gay guys off buildings are more of a threat than the dudes who make fun of you for being fat. I know being teased hurts you more, but it doesn’t hurt the world more. There’s actually a difference, you see.

It’s all part of growing up, girls!