The social network Twitter has blocked the accounts of several journalists belonging to some major U.S. media outlets after they allegedly violated the platform’s terms by revealing personal information about tycoon Elon Musk.
Specifically, the journalists, belonging to media outlets such as ‘The New York Times’, ‘The Washington Post’ or CNN, had reported on the banning of a Twitter account that published real-time updates on the whereabouts of the billionaire’s private plane, CNN has reported.
During the day on Wednesday, Musk reported that Twitter would suspend any account that provides real-time location information of any person, claiming that it is «a violation of physical security.» This ban also included posting links to sites with real-time location information.
«Criticizing me all day is fine, but posting my real-time locations and endangering my family is not,» the platform owner stated in a tweet.
This Thursday, after the blocking of the accounts of several American journalists, the tycoon has defended himself by assuring that the FBI would open an investigation if someone published the addresses and real-time locations of journalists.
«If someone published real-time locations and addresses of ‘The New York Times’ reporters, the FBI would be investigating, there would be hearings on Capitol Hill and (Joe) Biden would give speeches about the end of democracy,» Musk has ironized, to shortly after publishing a poll asking users about whether to unban journalists’ profiles.
These bans raise a number of questions about the future of the platform, since after its acquisition by the billionaire in early November, Twitter has shared its aspirations to defend freedom of expression, even going so far as to unblock the account of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which had remained banned since the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
