Twitter Removes Ban on 'Targeted Misgendering or Deadnaming' of Trans People in Hateful Conduct Policy

Twitter recently removed a section of its hateful conduct policy that banned "targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals."

The Details: Previously, the policy read, "We prohibit targeting others with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to dehumanize, degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals." The last sentence was recently removed.

What the Left and Center Said: "Twitter’s decision to covertly roll back its longtime policy is the latest example of just how unsafe the company is for users and advertisers alike," GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis said. The Associated Press (Lean Left bias) said the move evokes "concerns that the Elon Musk-owned platform is becoming less safe for marginalized groups." The Verge (Lean Left) said the change is unsurprising because "Musk has espoused transphobic ideologies in the past." Forbes (Center bias) said there's "widespread speculation this has something to do with CEO Elon Musk’s estrangement from his trans daughter."

What the Right Said: Some right-rated sources framed mainstream media criticism of the move as pro-censorship. The American Spectator (Right bias) said "Twitter no longer bans users who refer to people using biologically accurate pronouns," and called it a "victory for freedom of speech." A writer for Townhall (Right bias) said "this policy aimed to make suspending conservatives easier on the platform."