TECH NEWS – Twitter announces a series of controversial changes to cross-promotion that immediately drew the ire of its user base.

Twitter has recently announced several controversial changes to its social media platform. The most recent changes relate specifically to cross-promotion from other social media platforms. They will take effect at both account and individual tweet levels. It’s just another issue in the conveyor belt of controversies that have arisen during Elon Musk’s short tenure as CEO.

Since Musk acquired Twitter a few months ago, the reception has been unflattering, to say the least. From the CEO’s taunts to the checkmark verification mess, Twitter layoffs and a host of other controversies, Musk has become a buffoon to users.

Despite this, Musk claims that the platform is committed to free speech. He then went on to announce a policy that some users say directly contradicts this perception. This was announced on the Twitter Support account, stating that the platform does not allow accounts or tweets that cross-promote to other platforms.

The tweet thread starts with the fact that users have been active on other social media platforms, and from then on, they will no longer allow free promotion of specific social media sites. In fact, Twitter will start removing accounts, tweets and ban posts from 3rd party social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Mastodon. Twitter will also ban accounts or tweets that include social media link aggregators such as linktr.ee and lnk.bio.

“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post,” the now-deleted tweet thread read.

The announcement has angered many users. Artists, in particular, as it essentially removes any way for users to promote content. It also results in unfair punishment for connecting with others through social media platforms that are not owned by the platform. The fact that this policy was introduced after users had already started to leave Twitter in droves and the site was “losing out” to other platforms has led to further criticism.

Other users, such as Europeans, have expressed concerns about this move. They argue that it violates laws in the region. Some theorise that geo-blocking could potentially take place in Europe in the future. Some have already tried and failed to post specific tweets on social media platforms. Other platforms, such as YouTube or Twitch, are exempt from this policy.

This only raises more concerns about the future of Twitter and its longer-term operations under Musk’s leadership.

Twitter is an essential source of announcements, news and other expressions of creativity. The new policies are raising growing concerns among users. Many believe it is only a matter of time before the platform becomes unusable.

UPDATE: the tweet thread has been removed from Twitter’s Support page as of this morning. No word yet on whether this also means the recent changes have been withdrawn or if they’ve just had enough of angry comments…

Source: SMS.com

Twitter will either have to revert the change, geoblock entirety of europe or go to court against EU. If geoblock, site will tank and either be sold or bankrupted. if court, they have to revert the change, geoblock europe or lose so much money they go bankrupt or sell the company https://t.co/rJEnkXg7PJ

— Lumi 🐻‍❄️☕ (@Lewmzi) December 18, 2022

This most certainly goes against EU regulations though.

It will either be reverse or Twitter will be fined heavily in Europe or kicked out.

– https://t.co/TYVUzTrzkI pic.twitter.com/RkUrKZlwXa

— Maynard Manyowa (@iAmKudaMaynard) December 18, 2022