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Elon Musk wins against Australian government “censorship” attempt - May 13, 2024

Video (Sky News Australia YouTube)

Elon Musk's social media platform X has landed a victory in its court battle against Australia’s eSafety Commissioner over footage of the Western Sydney church stabbing.

The Federal Court on Monday rejected the e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s application to extend an injunction that would have forced X to continue blocking content related to the incident.

Last month, Elon Musk argued taking down the videos globally would go against freedom of speech laws.

"Our concern is that if any country is allowed to censor content for all countries … then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire internet?" Mr Musk wrote on X.

People congratulated Mr Musk on Monday after the Federal Court sided with X.

Sky News Host Rowan Dean wrote on X, “Australia’s Labor government disgraced again as Federal Court denies Labor’s outrageous attempt to censor what everyday Australians can see on this magnificent platform to free speech – congrats.”

The case will return to court on Wednesday.

Combat Sports Week At Media Man; Elon Musk's X And Grok Take Publishers, Reporters, Fans Et Al Around The World Of Sports In A TKO Second!: Media Man

October 1, 2024

News

Alex Pereira's Arrival for UFC 307

Alex Pereira, known as 'Poatan', is gearing up for a highly anticipated UFC fight at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr., scheduled for October 2024. The fight week has begun with both fighters, including notable figures like Jose Aldo, checking in for the event. There's considerable excitement around this match, primarily due to the knockout capabilities of both fighters. Pereira has publicly stated his intention to 'break' Rountree, intensifying the event's buildup. Discussions and analyses have focused on Pereira's recent UFC activities, potential retirement, and the high stakes of the main event, suggesting it could be one of the most thrilling UFC main events recently. Additionally, Khalil Rountree hinted at employing a never-before-seen move during the fight, adding an element of mystery and anticipation. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 and DWCS Week 8

UFC 307 is generating significant buzz, particularly for the main event where Alex Pereira has promised an intense confrontation against Khalil Rountree, vowing to 'break' him. This fight is not only a highlight of the event but also showcases both fighters' formidable striking power, with predictions leaning towards a knockout rather than a decision. Alongside this main event, the UFC community is abuzz with excitement for other matchups, discussing fighters' skills and predicting outcomes. Concurrently, the Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is taking place, spotlighting emerging talents like Christien Savoie, who are competing for the chance to earn UFC contracts. The DWCS not only serves as a platform for new fighters but also engages fans with live events and betting odds, adding another layer of anticipation and discussion around the UFC's upcoming events. (Grok)

News

UFC 307 Fight Week

UFC 307, scheduled for Saturday, features a highly anticipated main event between Alex Pereira, known for his striking prowess, and Khalil Rountree Jr., who has hinted at a unique move he might employ during the fight. The event has sparked considerable interest among fans and analysts, with discussions focusing on the fighters' capabilities and potential outcomes. Alongside the main event, the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is also taking place, offering emerging fighters a chance to secure UFC contracts. Notable fighters like Jose Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson are also highlighted, adding to the excitement with their upcoming matches. The event is set to be broadcast live, with various analyses and predictions circulating among enthusiasts. (Grok)

News

Torrez Finney's Third DWCS Victory

Torrez Finney achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first fighter to win three times on Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS). In his third appearance on DWCS, which took place on October 1, 2024, Finney secured a first-round TKO victory over Abdellah Er-Ramy. This performance not only marked his third win on the series but also showcased his dominant skills, leading to widespread acclaim across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter). Following this victory, there was a consensus among observers and fans that not offering Finney a UFC contract would be an oversight, given his undefeated record and his consistent performance under the DWCS spotlight. This achievement cements his status as a top prospect in the middleweight division, with many expecting him to finally receive a UFC contract. (Grok)

News

Khalil Rountree's Mystery Move at UFC 307

Ahead of UFC 307, Khalil Rountree Jr. has hinted at employing a unique, never-before-seen technique in his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion. Rountree, known for his striking prowess, aims to dethrone Pereira with a knockout, seeking to establish himself as a formidable force in the UFC. The event has drawn significant attention, with fans and analysts speculating on Rountree's strategy and the potential outcome of this high-stakes match. Meanwhile, new sparring footage of Pereira with Sean Strickland has been released, showcasing Pereira's skills and improvement in English. Other notable fighters like Kevin Holland and Jose Aldo are also featured in the event, but the main event between Pereira and Rountree remains the focal point, with expectations set high for an explosive encounter. (Grok)

News

Diyar Nurgozhay's Head Kick KO

Diyar Nurgozhay recently showcased his striking prowess at Dana White's Contender Series, where he secured a notable victory via a head kick knockout against Bartosz Szewczyk during the light heavyweight bout at DWCS 74. This event took place on October 1, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Nurgozhay, maintaining his undefeated record, delivered the knockout in the second round, further solidifying his reputation in the MMA community. This performance not only electrified the audience but also significantly boosted his potential for earning a UFC contract, given the platform's purpose of scouting new talent for the UFC roster. This victory adds to Nurgozhay's highlight reel, known for his finishing capabilities, as he continues his journey with an eye on the UFC. (Grok)

News

New WWENXT Logo Debuts on The CW

WWE NXT has introduced a new logo as part of its transition to The CW network, marking the beginning of a new era for the wrestling brand. The rebranding, effective from October 1, 2024, aims to evoke a more classic aesthetic. The debut on The CW was highlighted by various wrestling personalities and news outlets, with many expressing enthusiasm for the new look and the show's premiere. The debut episode featured significant matches, including a championship bout and a street fight, indicating a strong start to NXT's new chapter on The CW. (Grok)

News

Roxanne Perez Retains NXT Title with Cora Jade's Return

Roxanne Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship against Giulia in a recent WWE NXT event, marked by an unexpected twist when Cora Jade returned to assist Perez in retaining her title. This intervention was pivotal in Perez's victory, sparking varied reactions among fans. While some expressed disappointment with the match's conclusion and the manner of Giulia's defeat, others were thrilled by Cora Jade's comeback, anticipating new storylines. Despite the controversial finish, the match received praise for its quality. (Grok)

News

Mixed Reactions to New NXT Titles

Based on the information gathered from posts on X and general web sentiment, the introduction of new NXT titles has generated a mix of reactions among fans and observers:

Design Critique: There's a noticeable divide over the aesthetic of the new NXT titles. Some fans have expressed a preference for the previous designs, particularly the "rainbow titles" which were admired for their vibrant yet balanced color scheme. The new designs have been described by some as less appealing initially, but there's an acknowledgment that acceptance might grow over time. For instance, one user likened the transition in perception from the old to the new titles humorously, suggesting that while the initial reaction might be negative, eventual adaptation is expected.

Nostalgia and Change: The change in title designs seems to reflect broader changes within NXT, including its move to The CW network. This shift has stirred mixed feelings, with some fans feeling nostalgic about the "black and gold" era of NXT, which these new titles symbolically depart from. However, there's also excitement about what this change could mean for NXT's future, especially with the involvement of figures like Shawn Michaels in crafting the new era.

Performance and Presentation: Despite mixed feelings about the titles' design, there's a consensus on the quality of the matches and the presentation of NXT on The CW. The debut of NXT on this new platform, highlighted by significant matches like Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title, and the involvement of high-profile figures or matchups, indicates that while the titles themselves might be divisive, the content and direction of NXT are still highly anticipated and discussed.

Fan Engagement: The new titles have certainly engaged the fanbase, sparking conversations not just about design but about what these changes signify for NXT's identity and its place within WWE's broader ecosystem. This engagement ranges from criticism to cautious optimism, with some fans seeing it as a necessary evolution for NXT to stand out in the crowded landscape of wrestling entertainment.

Cultural and Identity Shifts: There's an underlying discussion about what these titles represent for NXT's brand identity. Some fans have humorously or critically remarked on the choice of design, questioning if it aligns with NXT's desire to carve out a unique identity or if it's merely a shift for the sake of change. This touches on broader themes of brand evolution and fan acceptance of change in professional wrestling.

In summary, while the new NXT titles have sparked a variety of reactions from critique over their design to nostalgia for previous eras, there's an underlying excitement about the narrative and performance aspects of NXT's new chapter. The conversation around these titles encapsulates fans' emotional connection to NXT's history and their hopes or concerns for its future under its new presentation. (Grok)

News

Wes Lee Wins Street Fight at WWENXT

During a recent WWE NXT event, Wes Lee defeated Zachary Wentz in a highly praised street fight. The match, described as both brutal and entertaining, featured intense action characteristic of street fights. Both wrestlers received acclaim for their performance, with fans and commentators noting the match as a highlight of the evening's programming. The fight included dramatic moments, such as Wentz missing a table dive, adding to the spectacle. This victory for Wes Lee was celebrated, with many expressing enthusiasm for the match's quality and hoping for future encounters between the two. (Grok)

News

WWE Bad Blood

WWE Bad Blood is making a comeback in 2024, marking the fourth event under this name and the first since 2004. Here's what you need to know:

Event Date and Location: The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. This date coincides with the 27th anniversary of the first Bad Blood event.

Broadcast Details: Bad Blood 2024 will be available via traditional pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and will also air on WWE's streaming platforms, specifically Peacock in the United States and WWE Network internationally.

Historical Significance: The original Bad Blood in 1997 introduced the Hell in a Cell match, which has been a staple of the event, including in its previous iterations in 2003 and 2004.

Matches and Card: One of the main matches includes Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship, with a unique twist where Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage to prevent interference.

There's also speculation and reports about a Hell in a Cell match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, though there was some uncertainty about whether this would be the main event or if a tag team match involving Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa, and possibly Jacob Fatu would close the show. However, recent discussions and fan reactions suggest a strong possibility of Punk vs. McIntyre main eventing due to the historical significance of Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood.

Themes and Anniversaries: The event is not only a nod to its own history but also leverages the anniversary of the first Hell in a Cell match. The involvement of high-profile figures like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and the intertwining storylines with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes adds layers to the event's narrative.

Fan and Industry Buzz: There's considerable excitement around the return of Bad Blood, especially concerning how WWE will utilize the Hell in a Cell structure this time, given its history with the event. Fan posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) show anticipation for the matches, particularly the potential main events, and how WWE might script the outcomes to impact ongoing WWE storylines.

This event represents not just a wrestling spectacle but a significant moment in WWE's calendar, blending nostalgia with current rivalries, making Bad Blood 2024 a must-watch for WWE fans. (Grok)

News

Beterbiev vs Bivol: Clash of the Undefeated

The latest on Beterbiev vs. Bivol, titled "Clash of the Undefeated," centers around their upcoming fight scheduled for October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here's what's been circulating and reported:

Fight Details: Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) in a unification bout for the IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA light heavyweight titles, marking a significant event in boxing as both fighters are undefeated.

Beterbiev's Condition: After a knee injury forced a postponement from an initially planned June fight, Beterbiev has confirmed his 100% recovery and readiness for this bout. His approach to training and recovery underscores his intent to maintain his 100% knockout record.

Bivol's Perspective: Dmitry Bivol has expressed that this fight is not personal but a professional challenge to become the undisputed champion. His strategy likely involves his well-known boxing skills, with an emphasis on counterpunching and movement, aiming to possibly outbox or even, as speculated by some like Chris Algieri, potentially knock down Beterbiev.

Public and Expert Opinions: There's a mix of predictions and excitement around this match. Some fans and analysts believe Bivol's boxing IQ and defensive skills might give him an edge, while others favor Beterbiev's relentless pressure and knockout power. The discussion often revolves around whether Bivol's style can withstand or adapt to Beterbiev's aggressive tactics.

Undercard and Event: The undercard features notable fights, enhancing the event's appeal. Names like Chris Eubank Jr., Fabio Wardley, and Jai Opetaia add to the night's boxing spectacle.

General Sentiment: The fight is widely anticipated as one of the biggest in 2024, not just for the titles at stake but for the clash of styles and the potential for defining moments in both fighters' careers. The narrative around this fight often highlights the rarity of seeing two such high-caliber, undefeated champions facing off, especially at light heavyweight.

This event is not just a fight for belts but is seen as a significant moment in boxing, where the outcome could solidify one fighter's legacy or dramatically alter perceptions of both in the sport. (Grok)

News

AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show

The AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show, set for October 2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA, is gearing up to be a landmark event for All Elite Wrestling. Here's what's on the slate based on the latest information:

Main Event: A high-stakes, title-for-title match is scheduled where Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship against Kazuchika Okada, who is bringing his AEW Continental Championship into the match. However, there's a twist: Okada's championship will only be on the line for the first 20 minutes of the match. If the match goes beyond that, only Danielson's AEW World Championship remains in contention.

Another Title Defense: Will Ospreay will defend his AEW International Championship against Ricochet. This match has been highlighted as part of the anniversary celebration.

Other Matches:
Hangman Adam Page is set to face Juice Robinson. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. will return for a match, although the opponent hasn't been specified in the latest updates provided, there was mention of her facing Serena Deeb in some fan discussions or reports.

Special Features: The episode is not just about the matches but also about celebrating five years of AEW Dynamite. Tony Khan, AEW's President, has teased a significant announcement which could potentially set the tone for the future of AEW. This adds an element of anticipation beyond the in-ring action.

Broadcast Details: The show will have a significant overrun, courtesy of TBS Network, indicating more content than the usual runtime, possibly to accommodate the extra matches or the celebration elements.

This anniversary episode is not just a showcase of wrestling talent but also a milestone for AEW, marking its growth and the journey it has had over the past five years. The inclusion of champion vs. champion matches underscores AEW's commitment to big matches on big nights, promising fans a memorable event to commemorate this occasion. (Grok)

News

Danielson vs. Okada: Title-for-Title Match

On the 5-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite, a significant wrestling event is scheduled for October 2, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA, where Bryan Danielson, the AEW World Champion, will face Kazuchika Okada, holder of the AEW Continental Title. This match is unique as it features a title-for-title stipulation with a twist: the Continental Championship, which usually has a 20-minute time limit, will only be at stake for the first 20 minutes of the match. However, the World Championship, with its 60-minute time limit, will remain in contention for the entire duration. This setup has sparked varied reactions among wrestling fans, with some questioning the effectiveness of the stipulation, while others are excited about the potential of the match. The event is set to be a highlight of AEW Dynamite's milestone celebration, pitting two of wrestling's top talents against each other in what promises to be a memorable clash. (Grok)

News

Conor McGregor's Stroll on Emirates Pitch

Conor McGregor was spotted walking around the Emirates Stadium pitch following Arsenal's victory over PSG in the Champions League. Videos and photos showed McGregor enjoying himself, including interactions with Arsenal player Declan Rice. This appearance led to various reactions and discussions online, with many finding amusement in McGregor's post-match activities. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a 2-0 win against PSG, with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. The match also marked the debut of Mikel Merino for Arsenal, who joined from Real Sociedad. Additionally, Thomas Partey was highlighted for his exceptional performance during the game. However, there were concerns about Jurrien Timber, who felt a muscular issue during the match, prompting Arsenal to manage his playing time carefully. (Grok)

Combat Sports News/Profile via Grok

Combat sports encompass a wide range of athletic competitions where the primary objective is to physically subdue an opponent. Here's a brief overview of some popular forms:

1. Boxing

Origin: Ancient Greece, but modern boxing is often associated with 18th-19th century England.

Rules: Competitors use only their fists, wearing gloves, and aim to score points by landing punches on the opponent's upper body or head. A fight can end by knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or points decision.

2. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Origin: While various forms of mixed combat have existed historically, modern MMA was popularized through events like the UFC starting in the 1990s.

Rules: Allows a mix of striking and grappling techniques from various martial arts. Fighters can win by knockout, submission (tap out), judges' decision, or disqualification.

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Origin: Derived from judo in Brazil in the early 20th century, made famous by the Gracie family.

Rules: Emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. Competitors aim to force a submission through joint locks or chokeholds. Points can also be scored for position control and takedowns.

4. Wrestling

Freestyle and Greco-Roman: Common in the Olympics, Greco-Roman restricts holds below the waist.

Professional Wrestling (Pro Wrestling): More entertainment-focused, with choreographed matches, high flying moves, and storylines.

5. Kickboxing

Origin: A group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching. It evolved from Karate, Muay Thai, and Western boxing.

Rules: Similar to boxing but includes kicks. Variants include allowing knee strikes and elbows (influenced by Muay Thai).

6. Muay Thai

Origin: Thailand, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs" because it uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.

Rules: Similar to kickboxing but with a heavier emphasis on clinching (a kind of standing grapple) and use of all eight points of contact.

7. Judo

Origin: Japan, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy.

Rules: Based on throws (Nage-waza) and ground techniques (Katame-waza). The objective is to either throw or takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize them, or force a submission through joint locks or strangles.

8. Karate

Origin: Okinawa, Japan, with influences from Chinese martial arts.

Styles: Many styles with different focuses, but generally emphasizes striking with punches, kicks, knee strikes, and open-hand techniques like knife-hands.

9. Taekwondo

Origin: Korea, developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Rules: Known for its high, fast, and spinning kicks.

Competitors score points in Olympic Taekwondo for strikes to the torso or head.

10. Krav Maga

Origin: Israel, designed as a self-defense system for the Israel Defense Forces.

Rules: Not typically a sport, but some organizations hold competitions. Focuses on real-world scenarios, aiming to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently.

Each combat sport has its unique culture, training methods, and competitive environments, reflecting diverse historical, cultural, and practical contexts. If you're interested in any particular sport, each has its own set of governing bodies, leagues, and famous athletes or events that could be explored further! (Grok)

Newes

Elon Musk's X to hire 100 content moderators in Austin this year - January 28, 2024

The Elon Musk-owned X social media platform announced a new content moderation push

Elon Musk’s X is in the process of hiring 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas, that will focus on fighting child abuse online on the social media platform, an executive said on Saturday.

X, formerly known as Twitter, announced a new "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in a blog post by CEO Linda Yaccarino on Friday. The new initiative comes as part of the company’s efforts to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE) on the social media platform.

"While X is not the platform of choice for children and minors – users between 13-17 account for less than 1% of our daily U.S. users – we have made it more difficult for bad actors to share or engage with CSE material on X, while simultaneously making it simpler for our users to report CSE content," Yaccarino wrote.

She added that the platform is "improving our detection mechanisms to find more reportable content on the platform to report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)."

The post noted that X suspended 12.4 million accounts for violating the platform’s CSE policies in 2023 – a dramatic uptick from 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022.

The company also referred 850,000 reports to NCMEC in 2023, including through X’s first ever fully-automated report.

The company said that was over eight times more than what Twitter referred to NCMEC in 2022 before it was acquired by the Elon Musk-led ownership group.

Following Musk’s 2022 takeover of Twitter, he has faced criticism for the content moderation policy changes to the social media site, which caused some advertisers to reconsider their spending on the platform.

X is in the process of hiring content moderation staff for the new Trust and Safety center of excellence in Austin, Texas.

"The team is currently being built," said Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, about the Austin office. He added that the goal to fill the positions by the end of the year is dependent on finding the right talent.

The company added that the new Austin facility will also help X fight other types of harmful social media content.

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Social Media Platform News

Elon Musk's X receives money transmitter license in Utah - January 16, 2024

Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday received a money-transmitter license from Utah, the 15th U.S. state to grant approval as the company explores offering payment features.

Utah granted the approval on Friday, according to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry, opens new tab, an online database.

It grants the company the ability similar to PayPal's, opens new tab Venmo, to facilitate money transfers and makes way for the company to allow users to send money to one another.

The push into payments could help X diversify its business beyond digital advertising, which has suffered setbacks since Musk took ownership.

Some major advertisers paused their spending or fled the platform after Musk last year agreed with an X user who espoused an antisemitic conspiracy theory.

Speaking at a New York Times DealBook event later that month, the billionaire CEO made a profane comment about brands that had suspended their ads on X.

Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Musk has said he envisions remodeling the company into the purveyor of an "everything app" similar to popular Chinese app WeChat, which lets users send messages but also hail a taxi or pay merchants.

The company received its first state money-transmitter license in New Hampshire in June last year and also got approved by Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland and Michigan.

(Sources: X, Wires, News and A.I!)

Elon Musk

Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg. "The Fight Of The Century" as per Media Man and TMZ Sports

Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg Weight Difference Holding Up MMA Fight - 23rd June 2023

Mark Zuckerberg Takes Shots At Elon Musk's Twitter As Rival App, Threads, Debuts (TMZ Sports)

Videos

'Competition is fine, cheating is not': Twitter threatens to sue Meta over rival platform (Sky News Australia YouTube)

Timcast IRL - Zuck's Threads Faces LAWSUIT For STEALING Twitter Secrets Says Elon Musk w/Lauren Chen (Timcast IRL)

Elon Musk trains with UFC legend Georges St Pierre, comes to 'obvious conclusion' - FOX News

Zuckerberg says Threads, Instagram's new Twitter-like app, has 30 million users; Elon Musk responds - FOX Business

Threads: The New Instagram App Reaches 30 Million Users; Threads, an Instagram app, has reached 30 million users within 24 hours. Find out more about the new Twitter alternative from Meta - Search Engine Journal

Twitter didn’t just block unregistered users, it blocked Google Search - 3rd July 2023 - Search Engine Land

Twitter’s Google Rankings Plummet Following Actions By Elon Musk [UPDATED] (Search Engine Journal)

Threads won’t be fun — but it will give brands a refuge from Twitter; This is Meta we're talking about - TechCrunch

Meta launches rival app Threads – how does it stack up against Twitter? - 6th July 2023 (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Threads hits 30 million users a day after launch, putting Musk’s Twitter on notice - 7th July 2023 - Yahoo! Finance)

Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company X Corp., the successor of Twitter, Inc. Twitter users outside the United States are legally served by the Ireland-based Twitter International Unlimited Company, which makes these users subject to Irish and European Union data protection laws.

On Twitter, users post texts, images and videos known as "tweets". Registered users can tweet, like, "retweet" tweets, and direct message (DM) other registered users. Users interact with Twitter through browser or mobile frontend software, or programmatically via its application programming interfaces (APIs).

Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006 and launched in July of that year. Its former parent company, Twitter, Inc. was based in San Francisco, California and had more than 25 offices around the world. By 2012, more than 100 million users tweeted 340 million tweets a day, and the service handled an average of 1.6 billion search queries per day. In 2013, it was one of the ten most-visited websites and has been described as "the SMS of the Internet" By the start of 2019, Twitter had more than 330 million monthly active users. In practice, the vast majority of tweets are tweeted by a minority of users. In 2020, it was estimated that approximately 48 million accounts (15% of all accounts) were fake.

On October 27, 2022, business magnate Elon Musk acquired Twitter for US$44 billion, gaining control of the platform. Since the acquisition, the platform has been criticized for facilitating an increase in content containing hate speech as Musk has emphasized more free speech. On December 20, 2022, Musk announced he would step down as CEO once a replacement had been found. Linda Yaccarino, the former head of ad sales for NBCUniversal, succeeded Musk as CEO on June 5, 2023. (Wikipedia)

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Facebook flag Trump posts, battle spills to social media - 5th November 2020

Facebook and Twitter were both on alert for misinformation and manipulation efforts around the US election, hoping to avoid the problems seen in 2016

Twitter and Facebook moved Wednesday to curb the reach of President Donald Trump's posts questioning the vote-counting process as a battle over the knife-edge US election spilled into social media.

Twitter and Facebook acted after saying the president violated platform rules in claiming ballot irregularities from Tuesday's vote.

Trump alleged that there had been "surprise ballot dumps" in states where he had been leading Democrat Joe Biden in the race for the White House.

Twitter's action made the comments less visible, and users seeking to read the post were required to click through a warning that "some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is disputed and might be misleading."

A Twitter spokesperson said the action was taken "in line with our Civic Integrity Policy," and would "significantly restrict engagements" with the tweet.

A similar action was taken against an earlier tweet by the president suggesting the Democratic nominee was seeking to "steal" the election.

The Twitter spokesperson said it took action on a number of other comments including premature victory claims by a North Carolina Republican Senate candidate and one comment contending prematurely that Biden had won Wisconsin.

"As votes are still being counted across the country, our teams continue to take enforcement action on Tweets that prematurely declare victory or contain misleading information about the election broadly," Twitter said.

Facebook also added disclaimers to messages by Trump as social platforms scrambled to respond.

The leading social network labeled the posts with a disclaimer stating that final results may differ from initial vote counts.

Some Trump critics said the actions were insufficient.

"They absolutely need to take down, not just flag with a weak interstitial (message)," said Jessica Gonzalez of the activist group Free Press.

"Take down disinformation about our democracy. We're on the brink here. "

Democratic Representative David Cicilline meanwhile called on Twitter to take stronger action against Trump

"The President's Twitter account is posting lies and misinformation at a breathtaking clip," he tweeted. "It is a threat to our democracy and should be suspended until all the votes are counted."

- Fighting misinformation -

Facebook has activated a command center watching the platform and ready to react to misinformation during the vote.

"Our Election Operations Center will continue monitoring a range of issues in real time," said a Facebook statement.

Nonprofit activism group Avaaz said its "war room" was also keeping tabs on Facebook and reported "last-ditch" Spanish-language misinformation, including posts about the prospects of a post-election coup or civil war.

The Election Integrity Partnership research coalition said a Google search for swing states turned up a YouTube video channel that was displaying a fake live feed of election results.

"Thousands of people may have been duped into streaming a fake YouTube video purporting to show election night results," the researchers said in a post.

YouTube removed the video.

Some groups at Facebook were being used to share stories of going to polling places without face masks to "scare liberals away," according to a post by Kayla Gogarty of nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters.

The platforms have pledged to step up scrutiny of false election information, including premature claims of victory, seeking to avoid a repeat of 2016 manipulation efforts.

Over the past days, Facebook and Twitter added disclaimers to Trump posts calling into question the integrity of mail-in ballots.

Twitter last month updated its policy aiming to prevent efforts to manipulate or interfere in elections. That calls for actions against false claims for victory or any incitement to violence.

YouTube has also sought to limit the sharing of videos with election misinformation. Last month it began adding information panels to videos about voting by mail.

Separately, Facebook said it implemented its policy banning political ads after the close of polls.

A Facebook spokesperson said the goal was "reducing the chance for confusion or abuse" and that the ban will likely last about a week.

(AFP)