Blocking the X platform

[LCPete]

Musk calling someone a child molester on X, unmoderated and he got away with it.

Oh yes I remember that, can’t remember the exact details but someone rescued children and Musk called him a molester , it was so wrong that Musk got away with it , I guess when you have that much money and power you can do whatever you want

 

[JonathanRyan]

In other words, no reason for him not to do it again, and he has done, meanwhile the guy in question had widespread targeted abuse.

Yes, I think what he said was appalling and to hire fancy lawyers to claim it was a joke was offensive. It would have been far better to apologise, explain those words had "different meaning for him", use his media reach to praise the hero and make a generous contribution to, well, the guy he accused.

But it's got little to do with him owning the platform. People who know him claim he exhibits many autistic traits and backed with an unhealthy dose of ego and limitless wealth I don't think he'll ever behave "normally",

 

[Pound Coin]

For balance, I suggest you look at the abuse and death threats J K Rowling got from trans rights activists before Musk got control of twitter. We are not talking little insults with regard to her and her family.

It probably isn't such a good example, given the death threats and abuse that goes in the other direction.

 

[andya700]

It probably isn't such a good example, given the death threats and abuse that goes in the other direction.

Please provide proof of that, because I can definitely say the death therats and abuse are coming from one source - trans rights activists. I will be waiting a very long time for your reply.

 

[mj4456]

Never used t***ter or X as it is now? And if musk is in charge and cosying up to trump I never will, I get into enough strife on face burk without any more opportunities.

 

[onomatopoeia]

How can a country block access to a social media platform or any other platform. ?

There is AFAIK only one site that the UK government requires through legislation to be blocked at the moment. which is rt.com . They achieve this by requiring ISPs to implement the block but don't mandate exactly how, so how the ISPs choose to implement it is up to them. Some will do it by not having the nameservers they run for their clients resolve rt.com to an IP address (using different DNS, DoH etc will defeat that). Others may block traffic to that address (a VPN will defeat that).

Xwitter could be legally blocked by the government but since they don't operate the internet they would have to require ISPs to do the work for them.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

If they can do this why not block those platforms that allow users to post about committing suicide ,self-harming etc. ?

The Wikipedia article on website blocking provides useful information...

List of websites blocked in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[hunnymonster]

There is AFAIK only one site that the UK government requires through legislation to be blocked at the moment. which is rt.com .

Not working then - or Scotland has left the UK...

 

[mj4456]

Possibly a devolved matter?

 

[gman]

Probably depends on where your ISP connection is located. With Virgin and BT I've found it will quite often connect to somewhere in England despite me being in Scotland.

 

[Neilc28]

Not working then - or Scotland has left the UK...

View attachment 431176

If you’re using a mobile operator for data then standard U.K blocking doesn’t work, no idea why but it’s been that way for ages.

 

[hunnymonster]

If you’re using a mobile operator for data then standard U.K blocking doesn’t work, no idea why but it’s been that way for ages.

Nope, fixed... More likely it's because my ISP's DNS is simply handing everything off to Google's 8.8.8.8 and/or Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1

 

[gman]

Hmm, strange. On my PC using Brillband located in Glasgow I can access it. On my phone it's the same whilst on WiFi, but when I switch to 5G and it connects to Newcastle upon Tyne, I can't access it.

Incidentally, The Alex Salmond Show is on rt.com lol

 

[andya700]

Hmm, strange. On my PC using Brillband located in Glasgow I can access it. On my phone it's the same whilst on WiFi, but when I switch to 5G and it connects to Newcastle upon Tyne, I can't access it.

Incidentally, The Alex Salmond Show is on rt.com lol

I have far more respect for Salmond as a politician than I have for Yousaf or wee Nickie Krankie.

 

[gman]

I have far more respect for Salmond as a politician than I have for Yousaf or wee Nickie Krankie.

Goes without saying. In my opinion Alex Salmond was a heavyweight politician, the latter are council level at best. Swinney is no better, although it feels quieter now. It would have been interesting to see Salmond as FM again.

 

[Delphin]

The RT website works fine on my home broadband (youfibre) I think it's only the TV channel the government banned.

 

[Pound Coin]

Please provide proof of that, because I can definitely say the death therats and abuse are coming from one source - trans rights activists. I will be waiting a very long time for your reply.

(Happy for Moderators to take these down, as some content is pretty grim. I haven't put up the worst)

Spoiler: Screen grabs of tweets. Swearing and death threats.

 

[Mr Bump]

(Happy for Moderators to take these down, as some content is pretty grim. I haven't put up the worst)

Yup Its out there especially in the the deep south (not essex)
one of the reasons trump is doing so well is the low end of the gene pool

 

[Delphin]

A company about to collapse maybe.

Advertiser boycott sees X revenue collapse

"When you tell your customers to go f—k themselves, then sue them when they stop advertising on your platform, it’s hard to be sympathetic."

www.thelondoneconomic.com

 

[Craikeybaby]

Yes, X seem to be doing their best to annoy both users and advertisers - I wonder how much it has dropped in value since Musk bought it, many billions I expect.

 

[Neilc28]

Yes, X seem to be doing their best to annoy both users and advertisers - I wonder how much it has dropped in value since Musk bought it, many billions I expect.

Musk recently said the value is around $20b, but analysts said it was around $12.5b in early 2024 and has dropped since.

Musk originally paid $44b for it

As with anything, it’s only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and with the reputational damage done so far I can’t see that it’s worth much at all!

 

[simon ess]

I have a suspicion that Musk knows exactly what he's doing and why; we just haven't figured it out yet.

 

[andya700]

Yup Its out there especially in the the deep south (not essex)
one of the reasons trump is doing so well is the low end of the gene pool

I think you are right, anything that happens in the deep, conservative US is not representative of what is happening in the UK.

 

[Pound Coin]

I think you are right, anything that happens in the deep, conservative US is not representative of what is happening in the UK.

So, are there death threats to Trans people or not? Your earlier post was unqualified and unequivocal.

 

[Mr Bump]

I have a suspicion that Musk knows exactly what he's doing and why; we just haven't figured it out yet.

yes he is without a doubt an utter genius his Tesla product is now the best EV platform in the world and his research into AI and robotics will shock the world in 5 years time.

 

[andya700]

So, are there death threats to Trans people or not? Your earlier post was unqualified and unequivocal.

I will repeat what I said in #63. Are these death threats coming from the UK?
Meanwhile, I will leave this.

Intimidation, threats and violence by trans-rights activists

A chronological list of incidents affecting gender-critical women in the UK

sex-matters.org

‘Punch a TERF’: the violent misogyny of the trans movement

Woke identitarians have become apologists for violence against women.

www.spiked-online.com

Greens suspend trans activist Beth Douglas after allegations of violent tweets

EXCLUSIVE: The Rainbow Greens co-convener has been suspended from the party but should never have been appointed say the Scottish Conservatives

www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

SNP politicians stand in front of 'decapitate TERFS' sign at trans protest

Three SNP MPs, Alison Thewliss, Stewart McDonald and Kirsten Oswald, and one MSP Kaukab Stewart, have been blasted for posing in front of a sign which advocates violence against women.

www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

 

[Pound Coin]

I will repeat what I said in #63. Are these death threats coming from the UK?
Meanwhile, I will leave this.

Intimidation, threats and violence by trans-rights activists

A chronological list of incidents affecting gender-critical women in the UK

sex-matters.org

‘Punch a TERF’: the violent misogyny of the trans movement

Woke identitarians have become apologists for violence against women.

www.spiked-online.com

Greens suspend trans activist Beth Douglas after allegations of violent tweets

EXCLUSIVE: The Rainbow Greens co-convener has been suspended from the party but should never have been appointed say the Scottish Conservatives

www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

SNP politicians stand in front of 'decapitate TERFS' sign at trans protest

Three SNP MPs, Alison Thewliss, Stewart McDonald and Kirsten Oswald, and one MSP Kaukab Stewart, have been blasted for posing in front of a sign which advocates violence against women.

www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk

You did not ask that. You said:

Please provide proof of that, because I can definitely say the death therats and abuse are coming from one source - trans rights activists. I will be waiting a very long time for your reply.

I have given you the proof. You did not have to wait ‘a very long time’.

Why not: clarify that what you really meant in the quote above was that it wasn’t meant to include anywhere where threats were coming from.

Maybe also explain how you know that the threats are not from the UK…

 

[Neilc28]

Twitter/X is now blocked in Brazil as of this morning and it would appear Starlink has been blocked from conducting financial transactions in Brazil.

It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out

 

[JonathanRyan]

Twitter/X is now blocked in Brazil as of this morning and it would appear Starlink has been blocked from conducting financial transactions in Brazil.

It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out

They have also brought in a heavy fine per day for using a VPN to circumvent the ban. At least according to a semi coherent rant from Mr Musk.

 

[gman]

From the brief amount of info that I've read about it, it appears that the allegedly questionable Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes doesn't like receiving criticism, so calls it "misinformation" in order to clamp down on it? I'm sure Starmer is watching very closely and taking notes.

I'm somewhat in two minds about X. I understand the dangers that disinformation can pose, but the ability to get uncensored truth out there that cannot be supressed by the mainstream media is also valuable.

 

[LCPete]

From the brief amount of info that I've read about it, it appears that the allegedly questionable Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes doesn't like receiving criticism, so calls it "misinformation" in order to clamp down on it? I'm sure Starmer is watching very closely and taking notes.

I'm somewhat in two minds about X. I understand the dangers that disinformation can pose, but the ability to get uncensored truth out there that cannot be supressed by the mainstream media is also valuable.

Yes agree in principle of being able to get uncensored information but unfortunately Musk has an agenda he was the source of some of the disinformation that caused the far right thuggery in the UK

 

[Neilc28]

I understand the dangers that disinformation can pose, but the ability to get uncensored truth out there that cannot be supressed by the mainstream media is also valuable.

Yet X suppresses, shadow-bans and sometimes bans users who have openly disagreed with Musk, this has been proven repeatedly.

It’s a billionaires playtoy, and certainly not the free speech platform he claims it to be.

 

[gman]

Yes agree in principle of being able to get uncensored information but unfortunately Musk has an agenda he was the source of some of the disinformation that caused the far right thuggery in the UK

Aye it's a tricky one. I would be more inclined to want those misusing it to be targeted and dealt with, rather than a broadsword full ban, punishing everyone.

It draws parallels with the parking on pavement ban up here. A small minority block the pavements, but rather than deal with the offenders, they are banning all the responsible ones as well (with a few exceptions).

It's lazy legislating and more than likely a precursor to widespread permit implementation. Basically a cash grab. Some roads are going to be seriously congested soon and with increased pollution.

One could use the same stupid logic and call for a ban on cycling because a minority ride on pavements.

 

[gman]

Yet X suppresses, shadow-bans and sometimes bans users who have openly disagreed with Musk, this has been proven repeatedly.

It’s a billionaires playtoy, and certainly not the free speech platform he claims it to be.

Yeah it's not good that he does that. If it's not going to be completely free speech (but legal), then his position is weakened.

 

[DekHog]

Musk has lost the plot. As much as i dislike Humza Yousaf, he nailed it when he said Musk has managed to radicalise himself using his own platform.

He spouts russian and MAGA propaganda non-stop, and bans people he doesn't like. He banned a person I follow on X for calling him Sissy SpaceX..... which is a pretty great bit of wit in my book.

 

[woof woof]

Musk has lost the plot. As much as i dislike Humza Yousaf, he nailed it when he said Musk has managed to radicalise himself using his own platform.

He spouts russian and MAGA propaganda non-stop, and bans people he doesn't like. He banned a person I follow on X for calling him Sissy SpaceX..... which is a pretty great bit of wit in my book.

Remember that under the last regime political bias which any even remotely fair minded person would view as election interference was the norm, anyone following real science was swiftly banned whilst the maddest unscientific garbage was pushed as the ultimate unquestionable truth as if the engine was on steroids and there was an avalanche of child sex porn. Oh and there was the embedding of personnel from all those three letter agencies and collusion with government to stifle free speech. Ah, but... them was the good old days.

Oh, and anyone taking the Brazilian regimes side against X IMO wants their head examined or at the very least needs to consider the scale of the protests against the regime and why they are happening. No matter what you think of X it is I think more of a platform which does at least allow a degree of free speech than it ever was in the previous years under the last owner. The specter of far left bias and moderation hasn't gone but it's not as bad as it was and I think that's what is really upsetting some people.

 

[Neilc28]

Remember that under the last regime political bias which any even remotely fair minded person would view as election interference was the norm, anyone following real science was swiftly banned whilst the maddest unscientific garbage was pushed as the ultimate unquestionable truth as if the engine was on steroids and there was an avalanche of child sex porn. Oh and there was the embedding of personnel from all those three letter agencies and collusion with government to stifle free speech. Ah, but... them was the good old days.

Oh, and anyone taking the Brazilian regimes side against X IMO wants their head examined or at the very least needs to consider the scale of the protests against the regime and why they are happening. No matter what you think of X it is I think more of a platform which does at least allow a degree of free speech than it ever was in the previous years under the last owner. The specter of far left bias and moderation hasn't gone but it's not as bad as it was and I think that's what is really upsetting some people.

I don’t recall that experience with pre-musk twitter at all. Was it perfect? Hells no! But I’d definitely say it was leaps and bounds better than what it has become.

There were a lot of issues with bots and undesirables, but I don’t think that’s fundamentally changed, if anything it’s got worse.

 

[DekHog]

I don’t recall that experience with pre-musk twitter at all. Was it perfect? Hells no! But I’d definitely say it was leaps and bounds better than what it has become.

There were a lot of issues with bots and undesirables, but I don’t think that’s fundamentally changed, if anything it’s got worse.

I don't recall that either, and it's def 100x worse since Musk got his mitts on it.....

 

[woof woof]

I don’t recall that experience with pre-musk twitter at all. Was it perfect? Hells no! But I’d definitely say it was leaps and bounds better than what it has become.

There were a lot of issues with bots and undesirables, but I don’t think that’s fundamentally changed, if anything it’s got worse.

I suspect you and Derek are either unaware because you restricted yourself to unaffected bubbles or you're blinded by your own biases. On either account, fair enough, but all that was going on was probably very hard to miss.

You could always try and do some research, with a open mind. The facts of what went on are relatively easy to find and are I think undeniable. Sadly what went on at Twitter wasn't restricted to Twitter. The facts of what went on and are perhaps still going on (it's a while since I looked at this) if not so much at Twitter but at other social media/internet companies should be easy to find. If you wish to find them.

Truly, if anyone thinks X is 100x worse than it was, you're off your rockers. Look it all up. Please. This stuff matters and is extremely serious for democracy and your own freedoms.

 

[Neilc28]

Oh, and anyone taking the Brazilian regimes side against X IMO wants their head examined or at the very least needs to consider the scale of the protests against the regime and why they are happening. No matter what you think of X it is I think more of a platform which does at least allow a degree of free speech than it ever was in the previous years under the last owner.

Apart from arguably it’s not free speech… it’s a platform where you can say what you want without moderation AS LONG as it musk doesn’t disagree with it.