Twitter Inc. has announced Sunday that it has banned links to other social media services and suspend accounts that try to direct Twitter users to alternative platforms.
According to Twitter, the affected social media sites are Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post.
“We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.
“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribel, Nostr and Post, Twitter’s support account tweeted.
The policy change comes after some Twitter users announced their intention to move to other platforms last week, in the wake of Twitter’s suspension of a number of journalists who cover Musk. Amid the backlash to the journalists suspensions, Twitter quietly began blocking links to Mastodon.
This move, DailySunshine gathered, signals a shift toward a more closed environment, one that still accepts incoming traffic from other sites but makes it more difficult for users to leave Twitter’s website for other destinations.
Interestingly, Twitter did not ban cross-posting content from social media sites. It noted that posting links or usernames to social media platforms not listed above are not in violation of its new policy.
“We still allow cross-posting content from any social media platform. Posting links or usernames to social media platforms not listed above are also not in violation of this policy,”Twitter support account added.
Under the new policy, links to content on Facebook and Instagram are prohibited, as well as links to content on emerging Twitter alternatives, including Mastodon and Post.
Surprisingly, Twitter did not mention or include TikTok, one of the internet’s fastest-growing social media platforms whose links to China have sparked national security concerns among US policymakers.
Another surprising or rather shocking side of Twitter’s new content policy is the fact that it stated it will still “allow paid advertisement/promotion for any of the prohibited social media platforms.”
As part of Twitter’s new policy, users are also prohibited from updating their Twitter profiles to include their account names on other platforms, a way to inform followers where they might be found elsewhere on social media.
For example, posting encouragement to
“follow me @username on Instagram” or “username@mastodon.social” or “check out my profile on Facebook – facebook.com/username” is restricted.
“If violations of this policy are included in your bio and/or account name, we will temporarily suspend your account and require changes to your profile to no longer be in violation,” the blog post said. “Subsequent violations may result in permanent suspension.”
As for users who use third-party software to simultaneously publish their social media content to multiple sites, including Twitter, the company said this does not violate its new policy and so it’s still allowed
