Protecting Elites? Twitter ‘Safety Mode’ Initially ‘Autoblocked’ for @TeamPelosi, Claimed ‘Error’

To block or not to block—Twitter has already answered that question. Twitter’s “Safety Mode” “autoblock” feature prevented users not only from commenting on a politician’s tweets, but even from seeing those tweets—specifically, for the @TeamPelosi account.

There’s nothing like protecting elites at the expense of the people.

When reached for comment, Twitter told MRC Free Speech America that it allowed the @TeamPelosi account to access “Safety Mode in error.”  “We want to keep in mind the potential effect of limiting counter-speech which is why we’ve initially excluded official political organizations, elected officials and political candidates from the Safety Mode beta,” a Twitter spokesperson stated in an email. Multiple leftist media figures seem to have been able to access “Safety Mode,” including elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Twitter announcedIn September, it will start beta-testing “Safety Mode” features. They would also include an “autoblock” feature. Twitter’s autoblock feature allows it to choose which accounts to block. An autoblock is imposed for “potentially abusive or spammy” behavior and lasts for seven days, during which the autoblocked individual cannot “interact with [the protected user], see their Tweets, follow them, or send them Direct Messages.” 

In its statement to MRC Free Speech America, it further clarified that it has “initially excluded” elected officials. Also, Twitter claimed in a blog that “Safety Mode” specifically relied on a feedback group nominated by trusted partners that “prioritiz[ed] people from marginalized communities and female journalists.” 

Multiple unverified accounts, however, tweeted screenshots claiming to be autoblocked. accessingThe Los Angeles Times Account The accounts of rich leftists such as actresses Bette Midler comedian Kathy Griffin. Others on Twitter claimed that the platform protected male journalists such as ESPN’s senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter,CNBC host Jim CramerBe liberal Washington Post Columnist for The Bulwark George Conway,Kellyanne Conway was the ex-White House advisor to Trump. 

An unverified account purporting to be insulin price activist Laura Marston said that Twitter autoblocked her for “potentially abusive and spammy” interactions with @TeamPelosi. After she said that she had been autoblocked, she claimed she was. criticizedA Democrat-backed bill for health care in a tweet

Ironically, Twitter advised autoblocked users to remember the protected user’s “feelings.” Does that mean Twitter ranks the “feelings” of some higher than the feelings of others?

Twitter did not protect Pelosi this time around. Twitter banned @NancytTracker on December 1, a popular Twitter account which had previously tracked Pelosi’s stock trades. 

MRC Free Speech America also recently found that seven dictators–including Russia’s Vladimir Putin–are still allowed on Twitter, while former President Donald Trump remains banned, indicating how unequally Twitter applies its rules.

Conservatives under attack. Send a tweet to @Twitter (415-222-9670) to ask that Big Tech be made to abide by the First Amendment. Contact us at Media Research Center if you feel your voice has been blocked Use the contact formHelp us to hold Big Tech responsible.

About Post Author

Follow Us