Target: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of Twitter
Goal: Reinstate the Trust and Safety Council to prevent hate speech on Twitter.
Disbanding the Trust and Safety Council on Twitter was one of the first things Elon Musk did in his new role as Twitter CEO. Despite his claims otherwise, Musk seems hell-bent on turning Twitter into a boiling pot for hate speech and defamatory content. The Trust and Safety Council has served as a key content moderation entity designed to maintain Twitter as a safe space for free speech. Disbanding the advisory body made it clear that the billionaire is deliberately dissolving the safety net that has so far been a stamp of Twitter.
The voluntary council, formed in 2016 comprised close to 100 expert members. The group of human rights activists and independent researchers had a key role in providing inputs on how the platform should operate, including on critical issues such as the removal of suicidal posts and Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The most obvious effect of the axing of the council has been the absurd rise in hate speech on the platform.
Although the Chief Twit has been quick to deny the deteriorating environment, data from watchdog groups claim the opposite. The Center for Countering Digital Hate observed that the daily use of homophobic slurs has risen by more than 50% under Musk’s leadership. Also, the daily use of the n-word is thrice the 2022 average after the new CEO took over. The Anti-Defamation League noticed a drastic rise in anti-Semitic posts on Twitter within the last two months.
By making your voice heard in the petition below, you would play a key role in urging Musk to reinstate the Trust and Safety Council. Maintaining the sanctity of free speech and online safety on the internet is mission-critical. It is especially so on Twitter, a platform with approximately 450 million active monthly visitors in 2022.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear CEO Musk,
Twitter has been one of the key online platforms championing safe and free speech on the internet. It holds immense potential for shaping public opinion around public policies and improving the quality of life on the internet. However, recent administrative decisions indicate a failure to uphold its integrity. Disbanding the Trust and Safety Council is a major decision with the potential to hamper the safety of free speech on the platform.
The advisory body had so far played a key role in preventing hate speech, suicidal content, bigotry, and CSAM on the platform. We are asking you, Mr. Musk to take the necessary action and reinstate the council with immediate notice.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Souvik Banerjee
256 Signatures