Twitter shuts down more terror-linked accounts

Efforts to stem online incitement to terror seem to be making progress as Twitter closed thousands of accounts last week.

Twitter on Thursday shut down some 200,000 accounts that have violated policies related to the promotion of terrorism.

Twitter posted on its blog that since the middle of 2015, it has removed 360,000 accounts linked to terrorism or violence. In February, Twitter stepped up for its efforts to combat violent terrorism promoted through its platform and the formed the Trust & Safety Council entrusted with this crucial battle.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) praised the social media platform for its “critical” move.

”With this latest critical move, Twitter has really set the right tone in the fight against nefarious content on its platform,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “By suspending accounts that have regularly promoted terror and other deeply troubling content, Twitter has taken an important step forward in combating cyberhate.

“For several years, we have witnessed how terror groups aggressively exploit social media,” Greenblatt said. “We welcome Twitter’s announcement as another significant step in the effort to remove the most horrendous content from mainstream platforms and limit its reach.”

Several social media companies are contending with terror elements that use their platforms to disseminate their ideology, recruit new terrorists and communicate.

Facebook is facing several lawsuits charging it with aiding Islamic terror organizations and failing to combat their use of its platform.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

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