According to a Twitter announcement, users will no longer be able to post usernames and links to their accounts on popular social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon. Twitter said this will prevent what it dubbed the “free promotion” of other social media platforms.
It is the most contentious policy change made under Elon Musk’s control as of Sunday, December 18, and it immediately drew outrage from many users.
“We know that many of our users may be active on other social media platforms; however, going forward, Twitter will no longer allow free promotion of specific social media platforms on Twitter,” the company said in a statement.
In addition, it stated that it would eliminate links to accounts on websites like Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Post and Nostr because several of these platforms have been suggested as possible alternatives to Twitter.
“Accounts that are used for the main purpose of promoting content on another social platform may be suspended,” Twitter added on Sunday. However, “cross-posting” to content on other social media platforms is still allowed.
The announcement comes as many Twitter users have been threatening to leave the platform in protest of Musk’s actions.
The Tesla CEO has recently reduced the company’s employees, disbanded the Trust and Safety Council, and temporarily blocked the accounts of many journalists for disclosing information about the whereabouts of his private jet that was made available to the public.
A number of critics emphasized that users are not the service’s workers and are not tweeting on the platform’s behalf.
Twitter announced that it would treat any content that violated its new policy as a “isolated incident” and require its deletion and it also vowed more severe punishments for subsequent infractions.
“If violations of this policy are included in your bio and/or account name, we will temporarily suspend your account and require changes to your profile to no longer be in violation,” Twitter said. “Subsequent violations may result in permanent suspension.”
Author-Roberta Appiah
