Changes in X's content moderation policies since Musk's takeover may have impacted reported account suspensions and content removals.

Under Musk’s leadership, X has adopted a more lenient stance towards certain types of content, particularly regarding hate speech and misinformation. For instance, the company rolled back its policies on COVID-19 misinformation and modified its definitions of hate speech, which may have resulted in fewer actions taken against accounts for such violations. Despite this, the first transparency report under Musk indicated that X suspended 5.3 million accounts and flagged over 10 million posts for various violations in the first half of 2024, a significant increase compared to previous years when Twitter was more stringent in its enforcement (Queenie Wong).

Increased Account Suspensions

The current data shows that account suspensions have tripled since Musk took over, indicating a shift towards more aggressive enforcement in certain areas. For example, X suspended approximately 2.8 million accounts for child sexual exploitation, which comprised over half of the total suspensions reported (Vittoria Elliott). This suggests that while some categories of harmful content are being targeted more rigorously, others may not be receiving the same level of scrutiny.

Changes in Content Removal Policies

Additionally, X’s approach to content removal has evolved. Instead of outright removing posts, the platform increasingly resorts to labeling content as sensitive or abusive. The report revealed that X applied 5.4 million labels to potentially harmful content, indicating a reliance on automated systems for moderation rather than human review (William Gavin). This shift raises concerns about the effectiveness of moderation, particularly for vulnerable user groups who may be disproportionately affected by harmful content.

Government Compliance and Transparency

Despite Musk’s self-identification as a “free speech absolutist,” X has shown a willingness to comply with government requests for content removal, acting on 71% of legal requests, significantly higher than previous compliance rates (William Gavin). This compliance contrasts with Musk’s public stance against censorship and suggests a complex relationship between content moderation, government pressure, and the platform’s operational policies.

In summary, while X has ramped up account suspensions, the changes in content moderation policies under Musk’s leadership have led to a nuanced landscape where certain harmful content is more aggressively targeted, while other areas experience reduced enforcement. This dual approach complicates the platform’s narrative regarding user safety and free speech.