Elon Musk’s digital platform, X Corp (formerly known as Twitter), has recently taken significant steps to combat harmful content in India. In the span of just two months, from June to July, the platform has banned a staggering 23,95,495 accounts for their involvement in promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.
In a remarkable display of its commitment to user safety and the well-being of its platform, X Corp has been actively addressing content violations that go against its community guidelines. This dedicated approach aligns with the company’s efforts to create a safer digital environment for all its users.
Unprecedented Account Bans for Harmful Content
During the period of May 26 to June 25, X Corp imposed bans on 5,44,473 accounts in India. Subsequently, between June 26 and July 25, the platform took even more assertive action by banning 1,851,022 accounts. These measures were in response to the alarming increase in accounts involved in promoting terrorism and other harmful activities within the Indian digital space.
Taking Down Terrorism-Promoting Accounts
In addition to addressing child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity, X Corp also focused on removing accounts that were promoting terrorism on its platform. The company reported that it removed a total of 1,772 accounts during the June-July period in India, further underlining its commitment to preventing the spread of harmful ideologies and content.
Grievance Redressal Mechanisms
X Corp has actively encouraged users to report harmful content through its grievance redressal mechanisms. During the June-July period, the platform received a total of 3,340 complaints from Indian users. The company’s transparency efforts include sharing these statistics in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, which mandates monthly compliance reports for major digital platforms with more than 5 million users.
Challenges and Accountability
Despite its proactive measures, X Corp faced challenges in presenting its compliance report for the May-June 2023 period. The report was initially inaccessible on the first day of the month, with a placeholder message appearing instead. This delay, however, did not deter the company from sharing its data and actions with the public.
User Engagement and Safety
In response to user concerns, X Corp actively engaged with grievances and questions during the June-July reporting period. The platform processed 49 appeals related to account suspensions and overturned one of them after a thorough review. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to accountability and fairness in its content moderation practices.
Addressing a Variety of Concerns
The complaints from Indian users covered a range of issues, with the most common being abuse/harassment, followed by reports of hateful conduct, privacy infringement, and child sexual exploitation. These concerns highlight the diverse challenges that digital platforms like X Corp face in maintaining a safe and positive online space.
Compliance with New IT Rules
The actions taken by X Corp align with the requirements of the new IT Rules 2021 in India. As a major digital and social media platform, X Corp actively publishes monthly compliance reports to ensure transparency and accountability in its operations.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s X Corp has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring a safer online environment by actively banning accounts engaged in harmful activities. Through these measures, the platform aims to provide users with a space that promotes positive engagement and protects against various forms of digital exploitation and harm.
