Twitter Earns Praise for Purging Terror Accounts

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By Andrew Silow-Carroll August 21, 2016

— The Anti-Defamation League praised Twitter after the social media platform announced that it has suspended more than 300,000 accounts that have violated policies related to the promotion of terrorism.

Earlier this year, Twitter announced it had suspended more than 125,000 accounts since mid-2015 for violating its prohibition on violent threats and the promotion of terrorism.

On Thursday, Twitter announced that it has suspended an additional 235,000 accounts.

“Daily suspensions are up over 80 percent since last year, with spikes in suspensions immediately following terrorist attacks,” Twitter said in a blog post.

“With this latest critical move, Twitter has really set the right tone in the fight against nefarious content on its platform,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL’s CEO. “By suspending accounts that have regularly promoted terror and other deeply troubling content, Twitter has taken an important step forward in combating cyberhate. ”

Twitter, which has sought to strike a balance between free speech and security, has been under pressure to match the zero-tolerance policies of rivals like Facebook. Wired magazine recently reported that Twitter often serves as the “main engine” for the Islamic State to promote its cause and find new recruits.

Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor in chief of the New York Jewish Week and senior editor of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He previously served as JTA’s editor in chief and as editor in chief and CEO of the New Jersey Jewish News.

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