Elon MuskThe social media platform X has suspended users’ accounts for posting the purported name of a far-right comic creator, despite his proclaimed commitment to free speech.
What happened: As Mashable reported Tuesday, users of Platform X have reported suspensions for posting the name “Hans Kristian Graebener.” The Anonymous Comrades Collective, an anti-fascist journalism collective, linked this name to StoneToss, a webcomic with far-right ideologies. The group claims that Graebener, a Texas-based IT consultant, is the person behind StoneToss.
The suspensions began after the official StoneToss account on X asked Musk for help over user posts about the alleged identity. While not confirming the accuracy of the report, the call certainly sparked a reaction from X. Following this, any notable accounts mentioning “Hans Kristian Graebener” were suspended and their posts removed.
See also: Elon Musk mocks Don Lemon again: ‘I suspect people will find him just as unwatchable as he was on CNN’
However, this move contradicts X’s official policies on doxxing, which explicitly state that posting an individual’s name is not against the rules. Furthermore, major media outlets have started publicizing Graebener’s name, which, according to X’s policies, should mean that this is not a violation.
Because matter: X’s inconsistent enforcement of its policies appears to be tied to Musk, who has previously engaged with posts that could be considered doxxing by his own definition. This selective enforcement and policy change has raised questions about the platform’s commitment to free speech.
As the platform continues to grow, it is critical for X to clearly define its position on user privacy and free speech. The suspensions contradict the platform’s claims of promoting free speech and have sparked concern among users and observers alike. Therefore, X must address these inconsistencies to maintain its credibility and user trust.
Image source – Shutterstock
Read next: Elon Musk claims ‘Many Americans still have no idea’ about White House social media influence as Supreme Court prepares for case