OPINION | This article contains political commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
After sweeping purges and censorship of conservative voices across the platform in an effort to silence a narrative with which they disagree, Twitter just made a very interesting statement.
Twitter says that as the Ugandan election nears, they are “hearing reports that internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps.”
And guess what Twitter says?
Twitter, who just censored, banned, and purged literally tens of thousands of voices for not aligning with them politically, says,
“We strongly condemn internet shutdowns- they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #openinternet.”
Ahead of the Ugandan election, we’re hearing reports that Internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps.
We strongly condemn internet shutdowns – they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet.
— Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) January 12, 2021
Wait, am I reading this right? They’re saying that shutting down your access to information on the open internet violates human rights and is hugely harmful? Are they really condemning the restriction of speech and restriction of access to information on social media? Are they serious?
After literally shutting down tens of thousands of conservative voices by deleting accounts, removing followers, censoring countless tweets, banning certain information, etc.?
Are they seriously this tone-deaf and unaware?
I don’t know why I’m ever surprised by things anymore, but I’m honestly flabbergasted at this statement.