Twitter pulls 'blue check' for white nationalist Richard Spencer, others

[Judi Lynn]

Source: UPI



By Allen Cone | Nov. 16, 2017 at 9:45 AM

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Twitter has removed official verification status for Richard Spencer and other prominent white nationalists.

The social media platform explained the deletions of the blue check marks in a series of tweets Wednesday.

"Verification has long been perceived as an endorsement," Twitter posted. "We gave verified accounts visual prominence on the service which deepened this perception. We should have addressed this earlier but did not prioritize the work as we should have.

"This perception became worse when we opened up verification for public submissions and verified people who we in no way endorse."

Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/11/16/Twitter-pulls-blue-check-for-white-nationalist-Richard-Spencer-others/1271510839907/

[SpankMe]

1. I don't agree with this

I think of Twitter as a neutral entity for anyone to use to speak their piece - be it Obama or a white supremacist. The blue check is simply supposed to indicate that you are the actual person you claim to be. It's an authentication and not an endorsement.

If Twitter was consistent in implementing it's policy, it would uncheck Trump's account, too - and probably the accounts of many liberal commentators.

Individual posts/tweets should be deleted based on complaints or violations of TOS. Whole accounts should be deleted/suspended based on complaints and violations of TOS.

But, this authentication is an important tool for the reduction of impersonation and the exposure of certain types of trolling.

Twitter needs to refine the definition of the blue checkmark and/or establish a new visual authentication marker so we know we're hearing from and responding to the real person. I'd hate to know that I'm directing my trolling at the wrong Richard Spencer!

[Initech]

2. What I don't get about this.

Is that they banned Baked Alaska and they're de-verifying accounts of some of these people. Laura Loomer was rightfully justified after she went on that crazy anti-Islamic tirade and posted some seriously hateful stuff on her account. But - Jack Posobiec and Mike Cernovich doxxed one of Roy Moore's accusers and they still get to keep their accounts. Seriously - that is far more dangerous than posting a few racist memes.