Twitter CEO Elon Musk says the social media platform’s policy against “showing blood in profile pic” is being fixed.
What Happened: Musk’s comments were made in response to a post by a user that shared the news that Sen. Steve Daines’ (R-MT) account was suspended due to his cover photo showing him and his wife hunting.
The user shared an article from The Hill that said that Daines’ account was suspended for violating Twitter’s media policy.
Axios reporter Josh Kraushaar shared a screenshot of the suspended account.
The Twitter account of Sen. Steve Daines, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is frozen because (per Twitter) it violates the company’s “Media Policy.” pic.twitter.com/ilkQYAI67D
— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) February 7, 2023
Musk said on the development, “This is being fixed. Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to ‘clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic.’”
He said, “The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics.”
This is being fixed. Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to “clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic”.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2023
The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics.
Senator Daines' Twitter account appeared to have been restored at the time of writing.
Why It Matters: A number of Daines’ Senatorial colleagues also responded to the Twitter suspension and expressed outrage.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said his friend was “put in Twitter jail this morning for having this image as his profile picture. Why?” Lee shared the hunting photo which had a sensitive warning placed on it when Benzinga checked it.
My friend @SteveDaines was put in Twitter jail this morning for having this image as his profile picture. Why? pic.twitter.com/wKlv9bdKf8
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 7, 2023
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) asked Musk if Daines was put in “Twitter jail” for his wife being a good shot.
Hey @elonmusk - Why is Twitter putting @SteveDaines in Twitter jail? For his wife being a good shot? I guess since I’ve updated my profile picture, I better turn myself in. #FreeSteveDaines #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/pCGQGDe2NJ
— Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) February 7, 2023
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said if you “don’t like hunting, don’t go” but “don’t censor others who disagree.”
Ridiculous. My friend @SteveDaines is in @Twitter jail for posting this pic w/ his wife Cindy.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 7, 2023
If you don’t like hunting, fine, don’t go. But don’t censor others who disagree.
And I’m pretty sure this is a formal job responsibility for a senator from Montana!#FreeSteveDaines pic.twitter.com/t6VdYNYe5u
Musk styled himself a “free speech absolutist” last year but his takeover of Twitter has led to questions surrounding censorship including an instance where Twitter censored links to a documentary on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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