Twitter has been involved with high-profile political dramas lately
The major platforms came under fire for not doing enough to monitor political ads and other content. The major players on the social media landscape are all responding in different ways to the backlash. Recently, Twitter announced some new policies that will likely be in place before the time you read these words.
Beginning on November 22nd on Twitter, the company's new political content and cause-based advertising policies will forbid the paid promotion of certain content. This includes any content that references government officials, ballot measures, referendums, regulations, legislation, candidates, political parties, or government officials. This change essentially renders it pointless for candidates for political office, or for PACs and Super PACs that may be supporting them to purchase Twitter ads.
New policies brought quick criticism
As details about the company's new policies came to light, even supporters of the idea were quick to criticize. They pointed out that issue-based advertisers would also be punished by the changes. Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey clarified. He said that issue-based advertisers will be restricted, rather than banned outright. He also said going forward, they will be unable to target users based on demographic factors like race, age, or specific location. Although the general location (state and province-level) would still be allowed.
This is a decent compromise position that doesn't leave issue-based advertisers thrilled. However, it is broadly seen as a step in the right direction. One thing the new policy change doesn't address though is the matter of disinformation on the platform, which tends to spread like wildfire.
Our perspective
All in all, the changes are generally positive, but they should be seen as a first step only. Social media has, unfortunately, become a cesspool of misinformation, and no one seems to have any good ideas on how to go about changing that.
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The author
Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPia Blogs. I am also available on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
I am Denis Wilson, President and Principal Consultant for DWP Information Architects. I help professionals grow their business by building a foundation of rock-solid information solutions for smaller healthcare, insurance, financial, legal, and nonprofits firms in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley. And have created cost-effective IT solutions, for over 20 years, specializing in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. I am also a published author and speaker, working extensively with a variety of organizations, as well as providing small business technology education programs through business and professional associations. This just in: I will be speaking regularly at California Lutheran University's Center for Nonprofit Leadership starting in September.
Contact me if you would like me to speak at your association.
