Twitter Launches Updated Violent Speech Policy

Twitter is once more enforcing stricter guidelines for what users are allowed to say on the platform, according to Engadget.

The company announced a revamped "violent speech" policy, which has several noticeable improvements over older versions of the guidelines.

Twitter's Move Follows The Company's Zero Tolerance Towards Violent Threats

A new violent speech policy that explains Twitter's "zero-tolerance approach towards violent speech" has been "officially launched," according to the social media platform.

Although it manages to be both more specific and more ambiguous, its content is comparable to Twitter's previous policy on violent threats.

These policies prohibit endorsing or threatening violence, while there are exceptions for "hyperbolic" communication between friends in each form.

"We have a zero tolerance policy towards violent speech in order to ensure the safety of our users and prevent the normalization of violent actions," the new policy reads.

However, it appears that the new set of guidelines reduces some ideas while expanding others, as reported by The Verge

It is interesting that the new policy forbids users from posting "wishes of harm" and similar expressions.

"This includes (but is not limited to) hoping for others to die, suffer illnesses, tragic incidents, or experience other physically harmful consequences," the rules notes.

That represents a change from Twitter's previous policy, which stated unequivocally that "statements that express a wish or hope that someone experiences physical harm" were not prohibited by the company's policies

Read More: Elon Musk Continues Twitter Layoffs Despite Saying Cuts Were Final 

There Are More Changes In The Policy

The hate speech policy on Twitter has been updated multiple times over the past few years, but this is the most recent revision made under the command of the new Twitter CEO.

The new policy prohibits threats against "civilian homes and shelters, or infrastructure," as well as a few other adjustments that are noteworthy.

There are exceptions made for speech on video games, sports, and "satire or artistic expression when the context is expressing a viewpoint rather than instigating actionable violence or harm," among other things.

However, according to the firm, users may receive less severe punishment if they engage in behavior that is outrageous in a conversation "regarding certain individuals credibly accused of severe violence."

Generally, this takes the form of an instantaneous, permanent suspension or an account lock that compels you to remove offensive content.

These adjustments might not seem particularly remarkable, but they are crucial in light of Elon Musk's earlier opinions on how speech on Twitter should be handled, Engadget says.

It can be remembered that the Tesla CEO declared his support for allowing all lawful speech before taking over the company.

It is also notable that following his altercation with the now-suspended @elonjet account, which disclosed the location of Musk's private jet, the company's policies regarding doxxing were altered.

Twitter did not provide an explanation for the changes, but it did mention in a number of tweets that it might suspend accounts for violating the rules or require them to remove the offending tweets.

Related Article: Twitter Blue Head Jobless After Latest Layoffs 

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