"This means that Twitter will now be able to perform a country-specific blocking as requested by the authorities in that country"Ihavethefeelingthatinsteadofgoingforward,weareleadingtoaworldthatafewpeoplewillcontroleverything...
Twitter's CEO, Costolo answered a few questions in a conference a couple of days ago on this topic. He claims that the change in their policy is to improve transparency in the way they operate.
Costolo mentioned that they were faced with many requests to remove certain content raised by many governments. Therefore, they had to make a re-adjustment to provide this transparency. Costolo also pointed out that they were not performing any form of tracking in Twitter and were operating purely on the basis of a warn-and-remove policy.
Twitter employs 45 people who are in charge of removing flagged content and these people operate based on the instructions they receive regarding breach of ownership and IPR matters.
I don't know how convincing Costolo's explanations are for most people but, however you look at it, there is less freedom on Twitter today than there was last week and probably that's what matters the most.
@Cryptoman, I totally understand why twitter took this extreme step. It doesnt want to loose its marketshare in countries like China and India where government is forcing twitter and FB to give regulate their content. But sadly if this happens users will loose their freedom of expression and I fear many people will shiftaway from twitter to other non-regulated websites.
Last Thursday Twitter made an announcement entitled "Tweets Must Flow" declaring that it is now able to locally block Tweets based on a keyword filter technology they have developed. This technology will allow Twitter to avoid having to take global action on offense caused by content in certain parts of the world.
This means that Twitter will now be able to perform a country-specific blocking as requested by the authorities in that country. Many activists pro freedom of speech claim that this new control mechanism will be a major obstacle in allowing people to freely express themselves.
Many will recall not so long ago, Twitter and Facebook together with other social media channels played a significant role in bringing down oppressive rulers in countries such as Libya, Egypt and Tunisia during what is called the 'Arab Spring'.
At first sight, this move by Twitter looks like it goes against freedom of speech but in countries where governments find certain messages offensive or threatening, automatically block access to Twitter altogether. This prevents the use of Twitter for everyone in all countries involved. Maybe this new filter will ensure that Tweeting will be possible uninterrupted, 24/7 in most parts of the world though under regulation.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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