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Axios
Axios
Technology
Rashaan Ayesh

Republican politicians could be affected if Twitter aggressively filtered for nationalist content

Photo: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Twitter reportedly doesn't go after white nationalist content as aggressively as it did with ISIS because it would likely mean some Republicans' accounts would be flagged as well, reports Motherboard.

Why it matters: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is walking a fine line between free speech and political peace with the right on the social media platform. Just this week he met with President Trump. Twitter, like other social platforms, has been accused of censoring or down-ranking conservative view points.


Here's how it works: Twitter increasingly relies on machine learning and algorithms to moderate millions of posts. When Twitter implemented a content filter for ISIS content, other innocuous content, such as Arabic speaking broadcasters, was also flagged by the system. Placing an equally aggressive automated content filter to target white nationalist content could impact the posts of some GOP politicians.

What they're saying: Twitter told Motherboard these claims are not an "accurate characterization of our policies or enforcement—on any level."

Go deeper: Facebook to ban white nationalist and separatist content

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