Twitter Bans Over 1.1 Million Accounts in India for Policy Violations
In a recent development, Twitter has banned a staggering 1,132,228 accounts in India between April 26 and May 25 for policy violations. The majority of these accounts were found to be promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity. Twitter also took down 1,843 accounts for promoting terrorism on the platform in the country. This crackdown comes amidst a period of transition for the micro-blogging platform, as Elon Musk takes over as the new CEO.
This record-breaking ban of over 1.1 million accounts in India highlights the ongoing challenges faced by social media platforms in tackling harmful content and ensuring user safety. Twitter’s monthly compliance report, in accordance with India’s new IT Rules 2021, revealed that the platform received 518 complaints from Indian users during the reporting period. The company also processed 90 grievances related to account suspensions, ultimately overturning 25 of them after reviewing the details of each situation.
Furthermore, Twitter disclosed that it received 29 general queries about Twitter accounts in India. The majority of the complaints from Indian users were related to abuse/harassment, followed by hateful conduct, sensitive adult content, and defamation. Under the new IT Rules 2021, digital and social media giants with more than 5 million users are required to publish monthly compliance reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.
In a separate report, it was revealed that Twitter, under Elon Musk’s leadership, had approved approximately 83% of government requests to restrict or block content globally, including in India and Turkey. Musk recently commented on the issue, stating that companies have no choice but to comply with local government laws. He emphasized the need for adherence to the law to avoid being shut down or facing legal repercussions.
Twitter’s efforts to enforce stricter policies and undertake compliance measures demonstrate a commitment to address concerns related to harmful content and protect users online. The ban on over 1.1 million accounts highlights the platform’s determination to tackle child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and terrorism-related content. While this move is commendable, it also underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms as they navigate the fine line between freedom of expression and the need to maintain a safe and inclusive online environment.
In conclusion, Twitter’s ban on over 1.1 million accounts in India for policy violations, particularly related to child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity, signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing user safety on the platform. By enforcing stricter policies and complying with India’s IT Rules 2021, Twitter aims to address harmful content and protect its users. However, striking a balance between freedom of expression and maintaining a safe online space remains an ongoing challenge for social media platforms globally.
