The platform has paused its warning about potentially misleading information surrounding covid-19, according to an official update from Twitter’s site.
In a concise note, Twitter revived a longstanding policy message stating, “As of November 23, 2022, Twitter no longer enforces its policy on misleading information about covid-19.”
Before this date, Twitter removed material about covid-19 that it deemed potentially harmful, false, or misleading, a practice that shaped how information was presented on the platform.
These changes mark the latest in a series of contentious moves seen since the platform was acquired by businessman Elon Musk for 44 billion dollars last October.
Since that takeover, Twitter has seen numerous shifts and frequent announcements, with Musk presenting each change with notable fanfare and a willingness to loosen or reshape policies as he sees fit.
Despite assurances that the goal was to make Twitter a safer source of information and promises that users removed for rule violations would not be able to return until a transparent process was in place, the execution of policy changes has often sparked debate about consistency and accountability.
conspiracy theories
Since the takeover, critics have noted a rise in discussions aligned with various conspiracy theories and a revival of some accounts that were previously censored, sometimes without clear justification or through decisions driven by public sentiment rather than established rules alone.
Recently, the leader hinted at granting blanket “amnesty” to suspended accounts, so long as those accounts do not violate the law. This move followed a widely watched poll and included the restoration of a high-profile account whose previous suspension stemmed from remarks related to a major national event, underscoring how referrals and user popularity can influence policy interpretation.
Other notable cases include actions that brought back figures who had faced restrictions for disseminating misinformation during health crises, sparking renewed discussion about the balance between free expression and the protection of public discourse on the platform.