In an unprecedented move, social media giants Twitter and Facebook have locked up US President Donald Trump personal accounts over his inflammatory posts.
In an unprecedented move, social media giants Twitter and Facebook have locked up US President Donald Trump personal accounts over his inflammatory posts that possibly incited his supporters to storm the US Capitol Hill.
Blaming Trump for inciting people to lay a siege in the country's capital Washington, DC, Twitter said Trump's actions resulted in "unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C".
Twitter said that Trump's account will be locked for 12 hours following the removal of the offensive Tweets. If the Tweets are not removed, the account will remain locked.
As a result of the unprecedented and ongoing violent situation in Washington, D.C., we have required the removal of three Tweets that were posted earlier today for repeated and severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy. https://t.co/k6OkjNG3bM
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety)
The micro-blogging site warned Trump that future violations of Twitter Rules would result in permanent suspension of his account.
Facebook too blocked Trump's access to his account page.
In a statement, Facebook said: "We have assessed two policy violations against President Trump's Page which will result in a 24-hour feature block, meaning he will lose the ability to post on the platform during that time."
Both Facebook and Twitter first restricted access and then eventually removed the posts where Trump seemed to empathise with those gathered outside Capitol Hill.
Guy Rosen, Facebook's vice president of integrity, tweeted: "This is an emergency situation and we are taking appropriate emergency measures, including removing President Trump's video." He added: "We believe it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence."
This is an emergency situation and we are taking appropriate emergency measures, including removing President Trump's video. We removed it because on balance we believe it contributes to rather than diminishes the risk of ongoing violence.
— Guy Rosen (@guyro)
Trump's social media posts have drawn the ire of many who use the platform, with many saying that enough is enough.
Let me say in no uncertain terms : If you do not suspend Donald Trump’s Twitter account for the next day at least, this mob attack on Congress is also on you. Sorry, but he has incited violence for days, using your tools in large part and you need to act now.
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher)
Enough is enough. It's time for Facebook and Twitter to kick Trump off their platforms. We've been in contact with and leadership about this but we need your help. Sign the petition:https://t.co/8C9wfD5R8I
— Rashad Robinson (@rashadrobinson)
There have been good arguments for private companies to not silence elected officials, but all those arguments are predicated on the protection of constitutional governance.
Twitter and Facebook have to cut him off. There are no legitimate equities left and labeling won't do it. pic.twitter.com/Nji6A4sJum