Musk outlines Twitter's objective and creates a debate about content accuracy

Elon Musk, the new CEO of Twitter Inc, stated on Sunday that the social media platform's purpose is to become the most accurate source of information about the world, igniting controversy about how it can accomplish this and who will determine what is accurate.

Musk has taken a flurry of extreme actions, like laying off half of his staff and charging users, since acquiring Twitter in a $44 billion purchase just over a week ago, providing some early signs as to how the platform will be changed by the world's richest person.

Some advertisers have withdrawn their support after the partnership was announced, with Musk blaming activist groups for putting pressure on advertisers because to concerns over its content filtering.

"Twitter must become by far the most accurate source of global information." That is our goal," Musk stated on Sunday.

His tweet sparked tens of thousands of reactions and sparked heated disputes about how the mission will be accomplished.

"Accurate to whom?" tweeted Twitter founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey.

Musk, who also owns Tesla and SpaceX, announced last month that Twitter will form a content moderation group with "widely diverse opinions."

At the time, the self-described free speech absolutist stated that no major content determinations or account reinstatements would take place before the council met.

Musk also stated on Sunday that Twitter users who impersonate others without clearly identifying themselves as a "parody" account will be permanently suspended without warning.

He stated that Twitter traditionally offered a notice before to suspension, but now that broad verification is being implemented, there will be no warning and "no exceptions."

"This will be clearly indicated as a requirement for joining up to Twitter Blue," Musk said, adding that any name change will result in the temporary loss of the verified checkmark.

Twitter changed its app in Apple's App Store on Saturday, charging $8 for sought-after blue check verification marks in an effort to shore up revenue.

However, the New York Times reported earlier on Sunday that Twitter is delaying the implementation of verification check marks to new service subscribers until after Tuesday's midterm elections.

As a result of Musk's takeover, Twitter is now reaching out to dozens of staff who have lost their jobs and begging them to return, according to Bloomberg News on Sunday.

Some of those being invited to return were mistakenly laid off. Others were let go before management understood their expertise and knowledge could be required to construct the additional features Musk envisions, according to the story, which cited people familiar with the changes.

Twitter did not reply immediately to Reuters' request for comment on the rehiring efforts.

(source : Reuters)