Elton John Quits Twitter Citing ‘Unchecked’ Misinformation

Elton John will not use Twitter, citing the platform’s “latest change in coverage which is able to enable misinformation to flourish unchecked.”

The social media firm has come below hearth since being bought for $44 billion by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who had repeatedly questioned Twitter’s dedication to free speech. He is since fired prime executives, in addition to a big portion of the corporate’s total workers, whereas implementing quite a few controversial new options. He has additionally confronted backlash after reinstating the Twitter accounts of each former president Donald Trump and Kanye West. (West was banned once more for sharing anti-semitic materials.)

John’s announcement could also be in reference to a different latest improvement by which Twitter is now declining to implement its personal coverage towards COVID-19 misinformation.

“All my life, I’ve tried to make use of music to carry folks collectively,” John wrote in his farewell tweet. “But it saddens me to see how misinformation is now getting used to divide our world.”

John just isn’t the primary well-known act to depart Twitter. 9 Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor introduced his choice to depart final month. “We do not want the vanity of the billionaire class to really feel like they will simply are available in and resolve all the pieces. Even with out [Musk] concerned, I simply discover that it has turn out to be such a poisonous surroundings,” he stated. “For my psychological well being, I have to tune out. I do not really feel good being there anymore.”

Jack White stop over its new stance on moderation, however not earlier than addressing Musk straight. “Maybe you are studying how dangerous it may be once you let harmful, hateful folks say no matter they need in your stage,” White stated in an Instagram put up. “Do the suitable factor Elon and do not present different hate mongers a stage.”

Joe Bonamassa left social media completely final month, although he cited extra normal causes. “Social media has turn out to be such a distraction for me,” Bonamassa wrote in a since-deleted put up. “This place feels prefer it has the maturity of highschool and I worry I’m gonna be provoked at some point into saying one thing I’d remorse. Take pleasure in it earlier than it destroys your soul.”

Odd {Couples}: Alice in Chains and Elton John