Twitter blocked Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s family corruption scandal in the run-up to the U.S. election, and after the election, it took a heavy hand in permanently suspending President Trump‘s account and purging tens of thousands of followers from the accounts of many prominent conservatives. The social media giant, however, in turn attacked the African country of Uganda for “human rights violations” and blocked social media software on the eve of the country’s election. Users have criticized Twitter’s double standards and told it to look in the mirror first.
According to the Washington Examiner, Twitter issued a statement saying, “In the run-up to the Ugandan elections, we heard reports that Internet service providers were ordered to block social media and communications software.”
The statement said, “We strongly condemn the Internet shutdown, which is very harmful and violates basic human rights and the principle of openness on the Internet. Access to information and freedom of expression, including open dialogue on Twitter, are essential in the democratic process, especially during election times.”
However, just after Twitter issued the statement, many netizens couldn’t look away. Some mocked, “Don’t Twitter have mirrors?” In Uganda, blocking voices on the Internet is a human rights violation, but in the U.S., it has become a necessary measure to protect democracy.” Some said, “What kind of monster would block the right to free speech”; others hoped that Twitter would be self-aware: “Maybe Uganda just doesn’t want Twitter to interfere with their elections, like you do in the US.”
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