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Twitter actually touts 'access to information and freedom of expression,' states 'we strongly condemn Internet shutdowns'
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Twitter actually touts 'access to information and freedom of expression,' states 'we strongly condemn Internet shutdowns'

The social media giant made the statements in relation to the Ugandan election — and just days after banning President Donald Trump

Seems when one attains massive power — and starts successfully wielding it — optics no longer carry as much importance.

What's going on?

Just days after permanently banning President Donald Trump from its platform, Twitter went on the record Tuesday afternoon concerning the Ugandan election and made some statements about "freedom of expression" and "access to information" that are eliciting more than a few raised eyebrows:

"Ahead of the Ugandan election, we're hearing reports that Internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps," Twitter Public Policy began. "We strongly condemn internet shutdowns — they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet."

Twitter Public Policy added: "Earlier this week, in close coordination with our peers, we suspended a number of accounts targeting the election in Uganda. If we can attribute any of this activity to state-backed actors, we will disclose to our archive of information operations."

Then came the kicker: "Access to information and freedom of expression, including the public conversation on Twitter, is never more important than during democratic processes, particularly elections."

Say what?

While applauded by scads of leftists, Twitter's permanent ban of Trump was roundly condemned by the likes of Nikki Haley, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, and even Mexico's president and leaders in Germany and France.

And a number of folks hit back at the social media giant for its statements surrounding the Ugandan election:

  • "Are there no mirrors at Twitter?" TheBlaze's Jessica O'Donnell asked.
  • "High comedy!" conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza exclaimed. "You can't make this stuff up."
  • "WTF! Are you serious? This is a joke right?" BlazeTV national reporter Elijah Schaffer (Slightly Offens*ve) wondered.
  • "Twitter griping that Uganda has banned it is the ultimate self-own," LifeNews noted.
  • "Omg," Dana Loesch reacted.

Others expressed similar sentiments:

  • "Twitter's like: 'Don't restrict people's speech, that's our job,'" another user said.
  • "Sadly, you gave autocratic regimes a pass with your own behavior," another commenter wrote. "Do you recall shutting down the @nypost ? You have done enormous damage to the notion of open Internet and lost moral authority to criticize regimes that are simply following your bad example."
  • "Are you kidding? This is a joke, right?" another user asked. "You are shutting down those with conservative political beliefs yet allow tweets from the leader of Iran who has sworn to destroy the U.S. and Israel."

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