Twitter uses censorship to "keep people safe": this is what you can no longer say on the social network

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In its fourth meaning, the Royal Spanish Academy of Language defines censorship as "saying of the official censor or of another class: To exercise its function by imposing deletions or changes in something". On April 22, 2020, in order to "keep people safe", Twitter Spain announced in its official profile a series of changes in its internal policies that "will require people to delete" tweets that include content based on 11 different assumptions.

Some assumptions collected in the official blog of Twitter Spain that, in their vast majority, refer to health issues related to the Coronavirus.

However, the list made by Twitter on its official blog also includes limitations and restrictions that clash with the right to parody , included in the Spanish legal system.

Furthermore, Twitter also claims that it will apply its censorship mechanisms, referring to ambiguous assumptions and formulas such as "specific and unverified claims" that cause "social unrest . "

Under the premise of "keeping people safe," the little bird's social network has decided to expand its "definition of harm to address content that runs directly counter to that indicated by authoritative sources of global and local public health information."

They also ensure that they will apply these standards "in close coordination with authorized partners, including public health authorities and governments , and will continue to use and consult information from those sources when we review the content."

Next, we tell you the cases listed by Twitter in which the messages will be deleted.

1. Dissent from the health authorities

Twitter has stated that it "will require people to remove tweets" to " deny the recommendations of global or local health authorities to decrease the likelihood of someone being exposed to COVID-19."

The examples that Twitter gives of messages that would be eliminated: "social distancing is not effective" .

In addition, it will also act against messages that seek "to actively encourage people not to distance themselves socially in areas known to have been affected by COVID-19, when such measures have been recommended by the competent authorities."

2. Ineffective treatments

Similarly, Twitter will censor messages that exercise a "Description of treatments or protection measures that are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective ."

An imposition that also extends "even if the messages are made as a joke . "

Examples of messages to be removed, according to Twitter itself: " Coronavirus is not heat resistant - walking outdoors is enough to disinfect you" or " use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent COVID-19 ".

3. Harmful treatments and ineffective protection measures

In this regard, Twitter will also remove messages that include a "description of harmful treatment or protection measures known to be ineffective, not applicable to COVID-19, or shared out of context to mislead people ."

A restriction that also extends "even if they are done playfully" .

Examples that Twitter gives of messages it will eliminate: " drinking bleach and eating colloidal silver cures COVID-19".

4. Deny the scientific data

Twitter will also remove messages in which there is a "denial of scientific data on contagion during the incubation period or contagion guidance from global and local health authorities ."

Examples of messages to be censored: "COVID-19 does not infect children because we have not seen any cases of sick children ."

5. "Coronavirus is a fraud"

This point given by twitter is difficult to include in a single category. In a somewhat ambiguous way, the social network affirms that it will act against: "Specific appeals regarding the information of the COVID-19 that intend to manipulate people so that they have a determined behavior for the benefit of a third party with a call to action within the claim. "

Examples of messages that cannot be said: "The Coronavirus is a fraud and it is not real - go out and visit your local bar! " Or "Ignore the news about COVID-19, it is just an attempt to destroy capitalism by collapsing the stock market . "

6. Messages that cause "social unrest"

This is one of the most controversial points on the list, incorporating a concept as ambiguous as "social unrest".

Literally, Twitter says "specific, unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic, social unrest, or large-scale disorder will be removed ."

Example of a message given by Twitter: "the Civil Guard or National Police has just announced that no more food shipments will arrive for 2 months - go to the store as soon as possible and buy everything! "

7. Parody accounts of officials

"Specific and unverified claims made by people posing as a government or health official or organization, such as a parody account by a health official indicating that the country's quarantine has ended"

8. False information about diagnostic procedures

Twitter also explains that it will eliminate tweets where there is "false or misleading information about COVID-19 diagnostic criteria or procedures."

Twitter example of messages to be removed: " If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, you don't have Coronavirus ."

9. Differentiate between Coronavirus and other disease

Messages that contain "false or misleading claims about how to differentiate between COVID-19 and a different disease , and if that information tries to definitively diagnose someone," will also be censored.

"You will feel like you are drowning in snot if you have Coronavirus - it is not a normal runny nose" or " if you have a productive cough, it is not Coronavirus - but a dry cough could be."

One last controversial example since the very example that Twitter puts is written in conditional and the "dry cough" appears collected as a common symptom by the World Health Organization on its official page.

It should also be remembered that the Coronavirus is still being investigated and, almost daily, papers are published that include new symptoms or discoveries related to this disease. Discoveries that take days to incorporate into official guides. .

However, from Twitter they point out that " this is not intended to limit the discussion in good faith or express hope about the ongoing studies related to possible medical interventions that seem promising."

10. Less susceptible groups

The next assumption to which Twitter refers would be: "to affirm that specific groups or nationalities are not susceptible to COVID-19".

The examples that Twitter gives of this type of messages are: "reading the Koran will make an individual immune to COVID-19" and "people with dark skin are immune to COVID-19 due to the production of melanin".

11 Most susceptible groups

The last assumption collected by Twitter refers to: "Affirm that specific groups or certain nationalities are more susceptible to COVID-19".

The example provided by Twitter of this assumption is: "avoid Chinese-owned companies, since they are more likely to have COVID-19"

According to the criteria of The Trust Project