Twitter CEO defends Trump ban, warns of dangerous precedent

Twitter chief Jack Dorsey backed its ban of US President Donald Trump, but said it sets a “dangerous” precedent and represents a failure to promote healthy conversation on the platform.

“Having to ban an account has real and significant ramifications,” Dorsey said in a string of tweets inviting feedback from users.

I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. 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.

— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021

“While there are clear and obvious exceptions, I feel a ban is a failure of ours ultimately to promote healthy conversation.

"I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. 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," he added.

Trump’s access to the social media platforms he has used as a megaphone during his presidency has been largely cut off since a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington last week.