Twitter unlocks Rahul Gandhi’s account a day after accusations of biasness
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account was restored on Saturday, a day after the former INC chief launched a scathing attack on the social media platform. Twitter had locked Rahul Gandhi‘s account a week ago for tweeting sensitive details related to the family of a minor who was allegedly gang-raped and killed in the national capital.
Twitter’s response to criticism
Twitter had stated that it suspended Rahul Gandhi’s account for violation of its rules that refrain users from revealing the identity of a rape victim. The social media platform also underlined that it took proactive actions against several hundred accounts found in violation of the norms.
“Only those accounts that did not take down the picture were locked,” Twitter added. Reinstating Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account, the US-based tech giant’s spokesperson said that the Congress MP submitted a copy of the formal consent to use the sensitive image through its India Grievance Channel as part of the appeal process.
“We have followed the necessary due diligence process to review the appeal in order to protect the safety and privacy of the affected individuals. We have updated our enforcement action based on the consent provided by the people depicted in the image,” the spokesperson added.
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Gandhi attacks Twitter
In a video message extensively shared by the Congress party and its leaders on multiple social media platforms on Friday, Rahul Gandhi accused Twitter of “interfering” in India’s political process and “attacking” the democratic structure of the country. He said that Twitter’s actions to lock his account were “patently unfair” and a breach of the notion that it is a neutral platform.
“For investors, this is a very dangerous thing because taking sides in the political contest has repercussions for Twitter. It is obvious that Twitter is actually not a neutral, objective platform. It is a biased platform,” Gandhi added.
On Thursday, the Twitter account of Congress was also locked for tweeting in support of the sensitive content shared by its former chief. Leading Congress leaders including INC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party supporters had changed their Twitter profile pictures to that of Rahul Gandhi to show solidarity with the party scion.
Even as his Twitter account has been restored by the tech giant, the tweet against which action was taken remains suspended in accordance with the protocols of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per reports, parents of minor victim in question have also given consent for tweeting their picture.
