X (Twitter) blocks the accounts of researchers, activists and media without notice

Social network As elDiario.es learned, the blocking occurred without prior notice or explanation from the platform about the violations that allegedly led to the blocking.

Among the media affected are the report of the delegation of the Balearic Islands elDiario.es, Onda Cero in the same Autonomous Community or the Aragonese media AraInfo. Their profiles were deactivated around 9:30 p.m. and remained unavailable early Wednesday morning.

Researcher Mariluz Congosto and activist Javier Barriuso were also suspended. Both were known for their work exposing manipulative maneuvers on the social network and pointing out the many automated accounts that interfere with X’s conversations. In a conversation with this media outlet, they point out that Elon Musk’s platform did not inform them of the reasons. Action.

The bans were expanded to include accounts such as mathematician Ana Bayes, computer engineer specializing in artificial intelligence Sarah Robiscoe, or lawyer and social housing activist Blanca Molto. Other users reported that X also deactivated the profiles of university and high school teachers.

elDiario.es contacted X to find out the reasons for these measures. The platform did not respond to the request, as it has to all press requests since Musk took control of the company in the fall of 2022 and fired the entire communications department.

As part of these massive job cuts, the tycoon also ordered the elimination of virtually all content moderation teams. This activity is now carried out using artificial intelligence, leaving users vulnerable to bans like the one X implemented this week. “X is the exact opposite of what a social network should be,” its former director of algorithmic ethics condemned it.

The situation has also led to an increase in the amount of misinformation and extremist content, numerous social organizations and online speech research laboratories note. Musk even sued several NGOs, saying they intended to force advertisers to flee and cut into the company’s revenue. His lawsuit was dismissed by a judge who called it an “attempt at censorship.”

After issuing several notices to Musk asking him to take action to reverse the trend, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against X in December, which have not resulted in any concrete action to date.