Image source: OK Magazine
Twitter is under new ownership, and although Elon Musk has promised freedom of speech, there have been numerous account suspensions.
Comedian Kathy Griffin is among those who had her account under suspension for impersonating the new owner of the popular social media platform.
Suspension
Kathy Griffin became the first celebrity to lose her tweeting privileges after a wave of users impersonated Musk over the weekend.
The impersonation highlights flaws in Twitter’s plans for a new verification system.
Read also: Elon Musk shares plans of monetizing Twitter Blue
Subscription plans
Elon Musk used the $8 subscription plan as a signature to boost the company’s revenue to avoid advertising.
The new plan launched over the weekend before the company postponed the service until after the midterm elections.
The new Twitter Blue subscription gives paying users a blue checkmark on their profile.
The option was previously exclusive to celebrities, politicians, journalists and other public figures.
Elon Musk proposes the new feature to combat spam bots on the platform.
However, the plan wasn’t received well.
Celebrities and comedians
Over the weekend, several celebrities on Twitter impersonated Musk in a defiant demonstration.
Comedian Sarah Silverman copied Musk’s profile picture, cover photo, and name, tweeting:
“I am a freedom of speech absolutist and I eat doody for breakfast every day.”
She also retweeted messages supporting Democratic candidates.
On Sunday, Silverman’s account was “temporarily restricted” with a warning about unusual activity on her account.
Then she restored her account with her name and photo.
TV’s Valerie Bertinelli also changed her Twitter name to Elon Musk and tweeted:
“[t]he blue checkmark simply meant your identify was verified. Scammers would have a harder time importsonating you. That no longer applied. Good luck out there!”
Bertinelli later changed her account to its origin, saying, “[o]key-dokey I’ve had my fun and I think I made my point.”
Read also: Elon Musk set to trim Twitter employees
Elon Musk
Speaking of the impersonations on Sunday, the new Twitter owner wrote:
“Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying ‘parody’ will be permanently suspended.”
Elon Musk also states that Twitter users will not receive notifications of their suspension.
“This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue,” he explained.
As of Monday morning, Kathy Griffin’s account is still in suspension, and it is unclear how long it will remain in effect.
The night before, Musk was mocking Griffin, saying she was suspended for posing as a comedian.
He said she could get her account back online after paying $8 for Twitter Blue.
However, it’s unclear if Musk was serious.
Reference:
Kathy Griffin suspended from Twitter for impersonating Elon Musk
