Update 1:47pm: Twitter has reversed its decision to ban Defiant L’s after public outcry.
The original article follows:
Twitter has banned an account called “Defiant L’s,” which highlighted the hypocrisy of Twitter users by showcasing their contradictory previous and current remarks on controversial issues. Before the suspension, the account had over 350,000 followers.
Twitter user @elizableau apparently messaged the person behind Defiant L’s, who revealed that the account was suspended for alleged ban evasion.
Defiant L’s released the following statement:
“Hey Twitter, so about an hour ago my account @DefiantLs was suspended. The word currently is ‘ban evasion’ though I’ve never had an account suspended so I’ve never had a ban to evade. Regardless, I’ve appealed the suspension and will keep everyone updated. Until then, I can be found at Instagram @defiant.ls and also on GETTR at @defiantls ha. Thanks for all the support and kind words. I hope to chat with you all again soon.”
The ban came soon after the account posted a tweet highlighting the hypocrisy of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In 2012, Trudeau tweeted “When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern -Harper in 2005.”
However, Trudeau has this week invoked the Emergencies Act and brought in some measures used to deal with civil liberties protesters in a similar way to terrorists, by freezing their bank accounts.
Twitter’s ban of Defiant L’s is the latest in a long line of bans of popular accounts as Twitter’s censorship is ramping up in recent months. This censorship is fueling the growth of alternatives such as Gab and GETTR.
