Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed that Twitter never takes action on reported tweets?

56 replies

TiredArse · 07/08/2024 16:57

Over the last few days I’ve reported numerous blatantly racist and abusive tweets. Every single one has come back saying it’s not broken the rules. How? What on earth do you have to do to get them to take any action?

It’s a fucking cesspit since Musk took over.

OP posts:
TiredArse · 07/08/2024 20:42

PigeonFeatherInMyChair · 07/08/2024 20:29

I think the algos have changed in the last year or so. Before I came off it, I was being served more and more racist/offensive shit that I was blocking like there was no tomorrow, never engaging with (except to block) and was so far away from the stuff I was seeking, such as dog behavioural videos etc.

It was my genuine suspicion that Twitter was now TRYING to serve me controversial views that made me delete it.

I think you’re right. I see so much less of the fun, interesting stuff I follow, and far too much deeply unpleasant content. And I also don’t interact other than to report or block.

OP posts:
TiredArse · 07/08/2024 20:40

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 20:17

You didn’t answer my question though.

Do think that blocking these comments make them go away? As in solve the problem?

You mean if Twitter deletes with a message saying this isn’t acceptable for x reason? Yes, I think it does help. It’s not going to solve the problem completely, but it reinforces that abuse is not acceptable.

If someone said it in real life, say at work or school, would you just ignore?

OP posts:
PigeonFeatherInMyChair · 07/08/2024 20:29

JemimaTiggywinkles · 07/08/2024 18:24

If you block, delete, or click "show less of this" the algorithm learns that you don't like seeing racist shit and stops showing it you you.

I think the algos have changed in the last year or so. Before I came off it, I was being served more and more racist/offensive shit that I was blocking like there was no tomorrow, never engaging with (except to block) and was so far away from the stuff I was seeking, such as dog behavioural videos etc.

It was my genuine suspicion that Twitter was now TRYING to serve me controversial views that made me delete it.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 20:17

TiredArse · 07/08/2024 19:32

So we should allow people to make racist (sexist, disablist, abusive etc) comments because if we don’t they might get more racist?

That is bollocks. Allowing it to go unchecked emboldens them.

Debate is fine. Abuse is not.

You didn’t answer my question though.

Do think that blocking these comments make them go away? As in solve the problem?

TiredArse · 07/08/2024 19:32

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 18:30

Ok I’ve been dying to ask this question for a long while in relation to this subject (and similar topics). For those who want these types of posts (I’m going to exclude the one about boys in swimwear for this question)

Do you think that deleting the msg makes the message really go away? I mean it doesn’t stop anyone from thinking like that, saying it out loud at the dinner table, or passing it on to anyone who will listen. Aren’t you just driving underground where it can get louder, so to speak?

So we should allow people to make racist (sexist, disablist, abusive etc) comments because if we don’t they might get more racist?

That is bollocks. Allowing it to go unchecked emboldens them.

Debate is fine. Abuse is not.

OP posts:
Hadjab · 07/08/2024 18:38

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:38

@TiredArse
From my perspective, Elon Musk's decision not to delete or block more posts on social media is the cornerstone to free speech. In today's climate, where topics like colonialism, white privilege, and gender ideology are highly charged, I believe it's crucial to allow open debate. This type of debate needs to be uncomfortable else there will be no meaningful growth.

Many people feel that they've been silenced or marginalized for too long, leading to pent-up frustration and resentment. This suppression of speech has, in my view, contributed to the social unrest and riots we're seeing now. Musk seems to recognize that by permitting diverse viewpoints, even controversial ones, we can engage in the necessary and constructive dialogue needed for progress. Else it only feeds the ever growing fire.

I’m also concerned that strict moderation, including deleting posts and prosecuting individuals for their opinions, is akin to controlling what people can and cannot say. This only further erodes free speech and increases societal tensions.

There's nothing wrong with free speech in regard to open debate.

"I hope you fucking burn in a house fire, you black bitch," is not open debate, it's literally a racist threat made against me, and yes, I reported it, and no, Twitter/X did fuck all about it.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 18:30

Ok I’ve been dying to ask this question for a long while in relation to this subject (and similar topics). For those who want these types of posts (I’m going to exclude the one about boys in swimwear for this question)

Do you think that deleting the msg makes the message really go away? I mean it doesn’t stop anyone from thinking like that, saying it out loud at the dinner table, or passing it on to anyone who will listen. Aren’t you just driving underground where it can get louder, so to speak?

Aussieland · 07/08/2024 18:28

This is why I left Twitter. Even if I block all the racist hate speech people I am still finding him and validating their existence. Just get out and you will feel much better

JemimaTiggywinkles · 07/08/2024 18:24

If you block, delete, or click "show less of this" the algorithm learns that you don't like seeing racist shit and stops showing it you you.

EatTheGnome · 07/08/2024 18:22

Same on Facebook. I've reported lynching posts and a closed group for sharing photos of young boys in swimwear and they had no interest.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 18:20

BeachParty · 07/08/2024 18:05

@Sparklybutold
In today's climate, where topics like colonialism, white privilege, and gender ideology are highly charged, I believe it's crucial to allow open debate.

So do I, but there's a difference between open debate and abuse.

So do I, but there's a difference between open debate and abuse.

You’d be surprised how much this is open to interpretation.

BeachParty · 07/08/2024 18:05

@Sparklybutold
In today's climate, where topics like colonialism, white privilege, and gender ideology are highly charged, I believe it's crucial to allow open debate.

So do I, but there's a difference between open debate and abuse.

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:51

@TiredArse the problem is the demand to silence has contributed to the problem we are seeing now. Without exploration of these issues, regardless of what they are, will only allow these views to fester and explode like they are doing now.

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:49

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 17:45

Does your block and mute button not work on X? Mine does and if I see something stupid, gross, abusive, I don’t agree with, am bored with, objectionable, racist, or whatever posts I just block then mute and go about my day.

Think of those racist/objectionable posts as gifts… you no longer have to wonder if those people are worth your time and they’re showing the world who they are.

@saltinesandcoffeecups

Conpletely agree - it seems there is this underlying attempt to stop ALL speech which only serves to frustrate and anger those being ignored and silenced. Plus what gives someone the right to silence someone just because you don't agree with them? How arrogant can someone be to expect to live in a world where your views and opinions remain unchallenged, where you demand to silence views that are not like your own.

KreedKafer · 07/08/2024 17:49

What's most frustrating is that when you report something, it gives you a very clear list of things that they claim not to allow, but then you report something that is a very obvious textbook example of that, they will still tell you it still doesn't breach their safety standards - the very safety standards they have just set out to you, and which describe the exact thing you just reported.

For example, I reported around a dozen tweets yesterday from the same account, which included:

  • A tweet that said '[Ethnic minority] are filthy cunts, they shouldn't be allowed to breathe'
  • A tweet showing a picture, clearly taken covertly, of two Asian men on a bus claiming 'These [ethnic minority] bastards are harassing little girls on the bus, every single one of them a paedo, need wiping off the face of the earth'
  • A tweet saying 'I fucking hate [ethnic minority] women, ugly miserable cunts with no manners, sick of their stink, we need to wipe this country clean of this vermin'

None of these tweets were deemed hate speech, despite the fact that they meet Twitter's own criteria of dehumanisation, threats/wishes for people to die or to be killed, incitement to harass individuals and racist slurs.

TiredArse · 07/08/2024 17:49

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:38

@TiredArse
From my perspective, Elon Musk's decision not to delete or block more posts on social media is the cornerstone to free speech. In today's climate, where topics like colonialism, white privilege, and gender ideology are highly charged, I believe it's crucial to allow open debate. This type of debate needs to be uncomfortable else there will be no meaningful growth.

Many people feel that they've been silenced or marginalized for too long, leading to pent-up frustration and resentment. This suppression of speech has, in my view, contributed to the social unrest and riots we're seeing now. Musk seems to recognize that by permitting diverse viewpoints, even controversial ones, we can engage in the necessary and constructive dialogue needed for progress. Else it only feeds the ever growing fire.

I’m also concerned that strict moderation, including deleting posts and prosecuting individuals for their opinions, is akin to controlling what people can and cannot say. This only further erodes free speech and increases societal tensions.

Oh come on, posting that you want ‘all stinking xxx group to fuck off to xx country’ or calling someone a fucking n or p word is not open debate. It’s racist abuse.

I’d like the algorithms to go back showing me more cute cats and fewer arseholes. Please and thank you.

OP posts:
saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/08/2024 17:45

Does your block and mute button not work on X? Mine does and if I see something stupid, gross, abusive, I don’t agree with, am bored with, objectionable, racist, or whatever posts I just block then mute and go about my day.

Think of those racist/objectionable posts as gifts… you no longer have to wonder if those people are worth your time and they’re showing the world who they are.

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:42

I'm curious how people view the BBC in their reporting? Which is shockingly biased. I would also add that twitter utilises algorithms that shows you stuff that you are engaging with.

Sparklybutold · 07/08/2024 17:38

@TiredArse
From my perspective, Elon Musk's decision not to delete or block more posts on social media is the cornerstone to free speech. In today's climate, where topics like colonialism, white privilege, and gender ideology are highly charged, I believe it's crucial to allow open debate. This type of debate needs to be uncomfortable else there will be no meaningful growth.

Many people feel that they've been silenced or marginalized for too long, leading to pent-up frustration and resentment. This suppression of speech has, in my view, contributed to the social unrest and riots we're seeing now. Musk seems to recognize that by permitting diverse viewpoints, even controversial ones, we can engage in the necessary and constructive dialogue needed for progress. Else it only feeds the ever growing fire.

I’m also concerned that strict moderation, including deleting posts and prosecuting individuals for their opinions, is akin to controlling what people can and cannot say. This only further erodes free speech and increases societal tensions.

BeachParty · 07/08/2024 17:35

It used to be that if you reported stuff, it got deleted.
Since Musk took over though, it's beyond pointless reporting now though.
Even overt disgusting stuff like monkey pictures, bananas, etc "does not go against our standards"
How, FFS??
😡
Cesspit now.

Pogggle · 07/08/2024 17:32

The only way I’ve managed to make twitter usable anymore is by blocking words. I’ve added about 100 different words to the list meaning I don’t see tweets containing them anymore. Sad that you’d even have to do that but it has meant I only see the light hearted funny stuff again now

Raasclaat · 07/08/2024 17:28

Youtube are shit hot on any sort of hate. X is now full of pornography and all sorts! No place to spend ones time.

ProvincialLady2024 · 07/08/2024 17:26

Twitter is the pits. You'll feel better about humanity if you delete the app and never look back.

maplemaplesyrup · 07/08/2024 17:11

YABU to still use Twitter.

HorizontalNotVertical · 07/08/2024 17:04

You’ve answered your own question. It’s a cesspit and that’s by design, not by accident- Musk’s politics are pretty clear now for all that he presents himself as a neutral supporter of free speech.

Ask yourself, would you have anything to do with Twitter if you hadn’t been on there in the pre Musk days? It’s not the same site now and I think continuing to use it just adds a veneer of respectability to what is basically a far right free for all.