This post has been updated since it was originally published on May 14, 2022.
Elon Musk recently said he wants to make Twitter “an inclusive arena for free speech.” This statement came shortly before his accepted bid to purchase the social media platform for a whopping $44 billion (much to the dismay of many of its users). The Tesla CEO says he plans to relax content restrictions on the website to eliminate what he believes to be an issue of heavy-handed moderation and a skewed political leaning.
How would Elon Musk change Twitter if he were to buy it? First, he’d make it open source. Watch @ElonMusk’s wide ranging live #TED2022 interview with @TEDChris on @YouTube here: https://t.co/dFFUxNqLZe pic.twitter.com/Okm3y5HpEy
— TED Talks (@TEDTalks) April 14, 2022
“It’s very important for there to be an inclusive arena for free speech,” Musk stated in an interview with Chris Anderson at a recent Ted Talk event. He went on on to say that he believes the website has become a “de facto town square.” The billionaire stressed the fact that he thinks it’s vital for people to be able to “speak freely within the bounds of the law.”
Musk’s main concerns seem to be eliminating political bias and misinformation on the website caused by moderation he claims is too strict. These are issues he’s frequently spoken about (on Twitter, of course).
I’m worried about de facto bias in “the Twitter algorithm” having a major effect on public discourse.
How do we know what’s really happening?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2022
So, how does he plan to make Twitter a place where people can “speak freely”? Musk says he wants to “open-source the algorithm,” but it’s a bit unclear what changes will actually be put into place once he takes over.
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter has sparked a good deal of conversation and controversy. Users are making their stances clear—and many of them are not happy. “Man-child wants another toy. Someday people might mistakenly think he invented Twitter, just like many mistakenly think he invented the Tesla,” one said.
“First of all I don’t trust him!” another Tweeter chimed in. “What does it mean ‘open source’? It is open!” This user went on to note an abundance of money shouldn’t give Musk the right to take over such a huge platform—or the world. “Only because he has money doesn’t mean that he should have a right to own the planet. If he wants to DO something for the FREE WORLD he CAN do so many things, but this is not IT.” Talk about making your voice heard!
Despite the soon-to-be owner’s plan to relax Twitter’s moderation in order to promote free speech and stop the spread of misinformation, NiemanLab reports that stronger moderation is actually the key to combatting this issue. Additionally, writer Filippo Menczer says studies show that, contrary to Musk’s claims of a liberal bias on Twitter, the website actually skews conservative. So, what, exactly, he hopes to change remains unclear. But one things for sure: he’s definitely stirring things up on the website already as controversy ensues.
This story was updated on July 12, 2022 with the information below:
According to a recent article published by People, in a court filing obtained by the outlet on Friday, July 8, “the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, 50, terminated his $44 billion dollar Twitter deal, alleging that the company was in ‘breach of multiple provisions’ of an original agreement.” Additionally, the outlet reports, “In response, the Twitter Board said it plans to sue Musk to ensure the deal goes through, and Bloomberg reported on Sunday that the company hired law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz LLP to represent them in a forthcoming suit, citing ‘people familiar with the matter.'”
On July 11, Musk tweeted in response to Twitter’s plans to sue him over the deal. He posted four photos of him laughing, each with a caption that wrote: “They said I couldn’t buy Twitter,” “Then they wouldn’t disclose bot info,” “Now they want to force me to buy Twitter in court,” and “Now they have to disclose bot info in court.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2022
An hour later, he tweeted again and uploaded a photo of Chuck Norris playing chess. His caption says, “Chuckmate.”
Chuckmate
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 11, 2022
A source told People that the Twitter Board said, “We are committed to closing the transaction on the price and terms agreed upon with Mr. Musk and plan to pursue legal action to enforce the merger agreement. We are confident we will prevail in the Delaware Court of Chancery.”
