Twitter launches new policy on misinformation ahead of Musk ‘free speech’ takeover

Twitter has unveiled a new crisis misinformation policy, making permanent the temporary measures it announced during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – but the change could clash with the ideology of Elon Musk, who is set to purchase the company.

- ADAM SMITH

Yoel Roth, Twitter’s head of safety and integrity, wrote in a blog post: “Conversation moves quickly during periods of crisis, and content from accounts with wide reach are most likely to rack up views and engagement. To reduce potential harm, as soon as we have evidence that a claim may be misleading, we won’t amplify or recommend content that is covered by this policy across Twitter – including in the home timeline, search, and explore.

“In addition, we will prioritise adding warning notices to highly visible tweets and tweets from high-profile accounts, such as state-affiiated media accounts, verified, offiial government accounts.”