In the two years since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, now known as X, the platform had not released a transparency report until recently. The Global Transparency Report revealed that X received over 224 million user reports in the first six months of 2024, with the majority related to abuse and harassment. The report also shared data on government requests for content removal and information, with the EU and US making the most requests. Musk's acquisition of Twitter has sparked changes, including a paid verification system and bringing back previously banned accounts.
Twitter's Transparency Report Reveals Surge in Abuse and Harassment Reports
Background:
In 2022, tech billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter and renamed it "X." Since then, the platform has faced scrutiny over its handling of user content and data privacy.
Transparency Report Findings:
Recently, X released its first transparency report since Musk's acquisition. The report provides insights into platform activity, government requests, and user reporting trends.
Key findings include:
Changes Under Musk's Ownership:
Since acquiring Twitter, Musk has implemented several changes, including:
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why is there an increase in abuse and harassment reports on X? Musk's changes to moderation policies may have contributed to an increase in harmful content and user reporting.
2. What measures is X taking to address abuse and harassment? The platform has stated that it is investing in tools and resources to detect and remove harmful content.
3. Is X censoring users more or less than before Musk's acquisition? Musk has loosened content moderation, resulting in less censorship of some types of content, while increasing censorship of others, such as criticism of Musk himself.
4. How are governments responding to X's transparency report? The EU has expressed concerns about the increase in harmful content and has threatened to take regulatory action if X does not address it effectively.
5. What is the future of X under Musk's ownership? It remains unclear how Musk's ownership and changes to the platform will ultimately impact its long-term trajectory.
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