In 2011, Twitter was a platform that helped keep people informed on politics and news from the ground. In Egypt, It was also a platform that amplified the voices of local dissidents who were part of the revolution. With live updates posted by many Egyptian users, people from around the world flocked to Twitter to witness live many of the events and updates coming from Egypt.
Today, Twitter has a different story, and it is not one of speaking truth to power. Twitter is no longer empowering its users. Its platform cannot be considered neutral. Twitter’s actions suggest it is systematically suppressing voices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
What started out as an investigation into the mass suspension of accounts of Egyptian dissidents, uncovered a mass censorship algorithm that targeted users who use Arabic flagging their text as hateful conduct. This story is still unfolding. As you read this, mass and unjustified systemic locking and suspension of Twitter Arabic accounts continues. Users are angry and bewildered.
