Jack Dorsey is speaking out about banning President Donald Trump from Twitter. Dorsey believes it was the right decision but says it could be dangerous.
“This moment in time might call for this dynamic, but over the long term it will be destructive to the noble purpose and ideals of the open internet. A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from government removing access, yet can feel much the same,” Dorsey said.
President Trump was banned from Twitter and several other social media sites after inciting violence on Capitol Hill that left five people dead.
“I believe this was the right decision for Twitter,” Dorsey tweeted. “We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.”
Dorsey blames Twitter for not promoting healthy conversations.
“That said, having to ban an account has real and significant ramifications. While there are clear and obvious exceptions, I feel a ban is a failure of our ultimately to promote healthy conversations. And a time for us to reflect on our operations and the environment around us,” Dorsey tweeted.
Dorsey hopes to transcend this mishap.
“It’s important that we acknowledge this is a time of great uncertainty and struggle for so many around the world. Our goal in this moment is to disarm as much as we can, and ensure we are all building towards a greater common understanding, and a more peaceful existence on earth,” Dorsey tweeted. “I believe the internet and global public conversations is our best and most relevant method of achieving this. I also recognize it does not feel that way today. Everything we learn in this moment will better our effort, and push us to be what we are: one humanity working together.”
