Taliban Supports Elon Musk's Twitter for Unrestricted Speech and Credibility, Preferring it Over Meta's Threads App
Introduction:
In a surprising move, the Taliban has expressed its endorsement of Elon Musk's Twitter, praising its commitment to freedom of speech and credibility. This preference was revealed by Anas Haqqani, a prominent Taliban figure with influential family ties, in a recent English post. Haqqani emphasized the advantages that Twitter holds over other social media platforms, particularly Meta's Threads, which is owned by Facebook.
The Power of Twitter:
Haqqani highlighted two key privileges that set Twitter apart from its competitors. Firstly, the platform's dedication to enabling open dialogue and freedom of speech. Secondly, Twitter's public nature and perceived credibility give it an edge over its rivals. According to Haqqani, no other platform adequately replaces Twitter due to its lack of intolerant policies.
Taliban's Stance on Twitter's Controversies:
While Twitter has experienced a decline in popularity among various users following Elon Musk's leadership takeover, the Taliban holds a different perspective, embracing the platform. Musk's changes to the verification process and the platform's more relaxed moderation approach have caused subject matter experts, advertisers, and regular users to abandon Twitter. Surprisingly, the Taliban officials even purchased blue verification checkmarks when Musk made them available for sale in January.
Taliban's Attraction to Twitter's Lenient Moderation:
Haqqani emphasized that Twitter's lenient moderation policy greatly appeals to the Taliban. Following the withdrawal of American forces and the subsequent collapse of the US-backed Afghan central government, the Taliban emerged as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan. Utilizing social media to disseminate their message, the Taliban has been relentless in their efforts. Despite Facebook and TikTok banning the Taliban's postings, Twitter's open policy allows the group to maintain an active presence.
Comparison with Meta's Threads:
While Meta's Threads has gained over 100 million users within a week of its launch, it primarily serves as a platform for brands and influencers to interact, giving off a desolate vibe for regular users who merely observe. Twitter, on the other hand, remains a preferred choice for journalists and governments due to its larger user base and diverse perspectives. Despite Musk's missteps, Twitter continues to provide insights from Taliban officials on the current state of social media.
Expert's Surprised Reaction:
Aram Shabanian, an Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) manager at the New Lines Institute, expressed surprise at the Taliban's endorsement of Elon Musk's Twitter. Shabanian compared Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta (formerly Facebook), to Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban, stating that despite personal opinions, Zuckerberg's approach is uniform across platforms. In contrast, going with Musk represents a lawless, profit-driven society, according to Shabanian.
Conclusion:
The Taliban's preference for Twitter over Meta's Threads app showcases their support for a platform that upholds freedom of speech and maintains credibility. Despite Elon Musk's controversial leadership decisions leading to a decline in Twitter's popularity, the Taliban finds Twitter's lenient moderation policy attractive for spreading their message. As the social media landscape evolves, Twitter remains a vital space for diverse perspectives, including insights from Taliban officials on the current state of social media.