Snowden as Musk takes Twitter: Censorship had gone too far

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Oct 2022 15:32
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Edward Snowden comments on Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and his proposed policy changes.

Edward Snowden speaks up against Twitter censorship (Getty Images)

Edward Snowden, the Former National Security Agency contractor who is currently exiled in Russia, claimed on Friday that overzealous censorship on Twitter and other social media platforms has ripped away users' liberty to choose their own content.

Snowden made the remark in reaction to the news of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter. Musk, who has previously criticized Twitter for restricting free speech, indicated that the acquisition of the site had been finished in a tweet that stated, "the bird is free," earlier on Friday.

In a Tweet, Snowden said that "this is going to cause controversy, but platform censorship had clearly gone too far. Content moderation should be an individual decision, not a corporate prison. Let people make their own choices — and not just on Twitter."

This is going to cause controversy, but platform censorship had clearly gone too far. Content moderation should be an individual decision, not a corporate prison.

Let people make their own choices—and not just on Twitter. https://t.co/BlN8W4CqSP
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) October 28, 2022

According to Musk, he bought Twitter because he wants to "help humanity" which he loves so much: "That is why I bought Twitter ... I didn't do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love," he said in a Twitter letter.

Dear Twitter Advertisers pic.twitter.com/GMwHmInPAS
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 27, 2022

Musk has provided internet service through Starlink to support neo-Nazis in Ukraine, and openly admitted to having a hand in overthrowing democratically-elected Bolivian President Evo Morales, allowing his company to access the country's lithium resources.

In his latest adventure, Musk is eyeing employing Starlink to fuel instability in Iran to overthrow its legitimate government.

The billionaire, who is uncannily warm with the Pentagon through SpaceX and Starlink, which both uphold aggressive military infrastructure, wrote a letter explaining his motives behind purchasing Twitter.