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Version 3 Version 4
#WomenBoycottTwitter, Supporting Rose McGowan #WomenBoycottTwitter, Supporting Rose McGowan
(about 3 hours later)
Activists, celebrities and journalists were among those boycotting Twitter on Friday, after the social media platform suspended the account of the actress Rose McGowan, a vocal critic of Harvey Weinstein’s conduct.Activists, celebrities and journalists were among those boycotting Twitter on Friday, after the social media platform suspended the account of the actress Rose McGowan, a vocal critic of Harvey Weinstein’s conduct.
The boycott started at midnight Thursday in New York and was set to last all day. Many signified they were taking part in the action with the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter.The boycott started at midnight Thursday in New York and was set to last all day. Many signified they were taking part in the action with the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter.
The idea was raised by Kelly Ellis, a software engineer, who tweeted that, in response to Ms. McGowan’s suspension, people should consider boycotting the platform.The idea was raised by Kelly Ellis, a software engineer, who tweeted that, in response to Ms. McGowan’s suspension, people should consider boycotting the platform.
“#WomenBoycottTwitter Friday, October 13th,” she wrote. “In solidarity w @rosemcgowan and all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support.”“#WomenBoycottTwitter Friday, October 13th,” she wrote. “In solidarity w @rosemcgowan and all the victims of hate and harassment Twitter fails to support.”
Ms. McGowan announced on Wednesday that her Twitter account had been locked over violations of the platform’s terms of service. Twitter initially did not explain its decision, but it later said it had temporarily suspended the account because one of Ms. McGowan’s tweets had included a personal phone number, in violation of its rules. Ms. McGowan announced on Wednesday that her Twitter account had been locked over violations of the platform’s terms of service. Twitter initially did not explain its decision, but later said it had temporarily suspended the account because one of Ms. McGowan’s tweets had included a personal phone number, in violation of its rules.
The company clarified that the offending tweet had been removed, and that Ms. McGowan’s account had been unlocked. Since her account was reinstated, Ms. McGowan tagged the chief executive of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, in a message on Twitter, saying she had repeatedly told the head of his movie studio “HW raped me.”The company clarified that the offending tweet had been removed, and that Ms. McGowan’s account had been unlocked. Since her account was reinstated, Ms. McGowan tagged the chief executive of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, in a message on Twitter, saying she had repeatedly told the head of his movie studio “HW raped me.”
Twitter’s actions continued to draw scrutiny, and critics said they highlighted a wider issue of curbing abuse online, especially toward women. While critics said Twitter’s move against Ms. McGowan highlighted a wider issue of curbing abuse online, especially toward women, not everyone felt a boycott was the right way to protest the company’s actions.
Alyssa Milano, Ms. McGowan’s co-star in the TV series “Charmed,” was among those snubbing the platform. The model Chrissy Teigen; the actors John Cusack, Debra Messing, Anna Paquin and Mark Ruffalo; and the writer Cheryl Strayed also joined the boycott.
“I love this platform, but it’s time to do better. See you all in 24 hours,” tweeted Brianna Wu, a congressional candidate.
Not everyone felt that a boycott was the right way to protest Twitter’s actions, however.
“I understand the idea behind #WomenBoycottTwitter but I don’t personally agree that silence is the right protest to being silenced,” tweeted @kateleth.“I understand the idea behind #WomenBoycottTwitter but I don’t personally agree that silence is the right protest to being silenced,” tweeted @kateleth.
The director Ava DuVernay’s criticism was more pointed. She noted that women of color had not received similar support when they had problems on the platform.
“Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven’t received support on similar issues,” wrote Ms. DuVernay, the director of “Selma,” who has criticized Hollywood for its lack of inclusivity.
Among those joining the boycott were Ayssa Milano, Ms. McGowan’s co-star in the TV series “Charmed”; the model Chrissy Teigen; the actors John Cusack, Debra Messing, Anna Paquin and Mark Ruffalo; and the writer Cheryl Strayed.
“I love this platform, but it’s time to do better. See you all in 24 hours,” tweeted Brianna Wu, a congressional candidate.
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Another user, Suzy Tobin, tweeted that she would not be taking part because, as a victim of sexual assault, she wanted to be heard. “Because it happens too much & its frightening to speak up. But we have to start talking about it,” she added.Another user, Suzy Tobin, tweeted that she would not be taking part because, as a victim of sexual assault, she wanted to be heard. “Because it happens too much & its frightening to speak up. But we have to start talking about it,” she added.
“Not joining in on #WomenBoycottTwitter because I don’t see the point in silent protest. I believe in loud annoyance,” said a further user, @AineCarson1. Another encouraged women to raise their voices, tweeting that “being silent is sometimes the worst thing to do.”“Not joining in on #WomenBoycottTwitter because I don’t see the point in silent protest. I believe in loud annoyance,” said a further user, @AineCarson1. Another encouraged women to raise their voices, tweeting that “being silent is sometimes the worst thing to do.”
The director Ava DuVernay criticized the boycott for slightly different reasons, pointing out that women of color had not received such support when they had problems on the platform. “Calling white women allies to recognize conflict of #WomenBoycottTwitter for women of color who haven’t received support on similar issues,” wrote Ms. DuVernay, the director of “Selma,” who has criticized Hollywood for not being inclusive.
When asked to comment on Friday, a Twitter press officer pointed to the company’s statement about why it had locked Ms. McGowan’s account.When asked to comment on Friday, a Twitter press officer pointed to the company’s statement about why it had locked Ms. McGowan’s account.
Ms. McGowan, who reached a $100,000 settlement with Mr. Weinstein after an incident in a hotel room at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, has been vocal in her support of other women who have come forward with allegations that the producer sexually assaulted them.Ms. McGowan, who reached a $100,000 settlement with Mr. Weinstein after an incident in a hotel room at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997, has been vocal in her support of other women who have come forward with allegations that the producer sexually assaulted them.
On Tuesday, in response to the actor Ben Affleck condemning accusations against Mr. Weinstein, Ms. McGowan called Mr. Affleck a liar and claimed he had known of the producer’s actions. She also called out other Hollywood players for their silence on the matter, tweeting “You all knew.”On Tuesday, in response to the actor Ben Affleck condemning accusations against Mr. Weinstein, Ms. McGowan called Mr. Affleck a liar and claimed he had known of the producer’s actions. She also called out other Hollywood players for their silence on the matter, tweeting “You all knew.”
Twitter has struggled in the past to find a balance in moderating content. It has tried to maintain free speech on its platform, but those efforts have sometimes allowed pseudonymous trolls to send abuse to other users.Twitter has struggled in the past to find a balance in moderating content. It has tried to maintain free speech on its platform, but those efforts have sometimes allowed pseudonymous trolls to send abuse to other users.
The platform is also under pressure over fake accounts as lawmakers investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the United States. Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the company’s briefing for congressional investigators “showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is.”The platform is also under pressure over fake accounts as lawmakers investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election in the United States. Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the company’s briefing for congressional investigators “showed an enormous lack of understanding from the Twitter team of how serious this issue is.”
Twitter’s problems with unsavory content have also put off potential buyers. Disney considered a bid for the platform, but passed; Twitter’s growing reputation as an arena where hate speech can flourish might have posed a problem for the larger brand.Twitter’s problems with unsavory content have also put off potential buyers. Disney considered a bid for the platform, but passed; Twitter’s growing reputation as an arena where hate speech can flourish might have posed a problem for the larger brand.