Twitter is taking a stand against internet service providers censoring social media apps ahead of the Ugandan election despite celebrating censorship in the United States.
“Ahead of the Ugandan election, we’re hearing reports that Internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps,” Twitter said in a statement. “We strongly condemn internet shutdowns – they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet.”
Ahead of the Ugandan election, we're hearing reports that Internet service providers are being ordered to block social media and messaging apps.
We strongly condemn internet shutdowns – they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet.
— Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) January 12, 2021
Despite the calls for an open internet in Uganda, critics have pointed out that Twitter seems to take a different position when it comes to American elections.
From the Washington Examiner:
In recent weeks, the social media platform was slammed by conservatives after the company permanently banned President Trump and appeared to purge tens of thousands of followers from many prominent conservative accounts.
Additionally, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey appeared to recently celebrate the news that Parler, a conservative response to Twitter, was banned from Apple’s app store.
Seemingly blind to the irony of its stance, Twitter pressed on by saying that “access to information and freedom of expression, including public conversation on Twitter, is never more important than during the democratic process.”
Access to information and freedom of expression, including the public conversation on Twitter, is never more important than during democratic processes, particularly elections.#UgandaDecides2021 #KeepItOn https://t.co/Q2SJfsFUiD
— Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) January 12, 2021
But the irony was not lost on several conservative Twitter users, many of whom chimed in to point out the contradiction.
are there no mirrors at twitter
— Jessica O’Donnell (@heckyessica) January 12, 2021
You don't say… https://t.co/bgtbCbxqqX
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 12, 2021
The social media giant was reacting to Uganda’s step to block social media in the country just days ahead of their presidential election. President Yoweri Museveni claimed that Facebook had removed posts supporting his party, leaving him “no choice” but to block all social media.
