Friday, March 29News For London

What does Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter mean for free speech? We ask Londoners what they think…

With a 500% surge in the use of the ‘n-word’ on Twitter, users are concerned whether the platform is now promoting hate speech or free speech

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has completed a $44 billion acquisition of social media giant Twitter, ending a long-running saga.

Tesla’s CEO immediately imposed his powers on the company and fired three of his executives who were reportedly taken out of the San Francisco headquarters when the acquisition was completed.

Musk tweeted: “The bird is freed”, referring to Twitter’s bird logo, seemingly agreeing with his desire to loosen restrictions on what can be posted on the site.

WestminsterWorld reporters headed to Regent Street to ask the public what they thought about Twitter’s new owner and the potential policy changes in the future.

Londoners speak about potential changes on Twitter after Musk’s recent overtake

During the months-long legal battle, he also accused people of misleading him and Twitter investors about the number of fake accounts, known as bots, on the platform.

Musk, a self-proclaimed “freedom absolutist,” was banned from Twitter in May after an attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Twitter permanently suspended the account of a former U.S. president with more than 88 million followers after weeks of fighting over the 2016 election results and causing tension. After Musk’s takeover, Trump’s account is likely to be restored, as per recent reports.

Edited by: Rishab Shaju & Titus D’souza