The day before his court-ordered deadline, Musk published a note to advertisers on his account. In the address, Musk explains to advertisers why he is buying the platform.
Musk wrote that there has been a lot of speculation about why he bought the social networking site. Most of it hasn't been right.
Since he first announced the acquisition in April, Musk has been repeating some of the talking points that he has been saying. He is worried that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers as traditional media continues towards its "relentless pursuit of clicks"
That is the reason I bought the social networking site. I didn't do it because it wouldn't be hard. He said he didn't want to make more money. I did it to help others.
Spending $44 billion on a struggling business isn't the greatest business move, but it's something that you can accomplish out of a warped obligation
It is a challenge to take Musk at his word but he did slip in something that is reassuring.
Musk mentioned free speech in his letter to the company board when he first announced his intent to acquire the platform.
In April, Musk wrote about his belief that free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy. The company will not thrive or serve this societal imperative in its current form after I invested in it.
He said that the social networking site has "extraordinary potential." I will open it
His declaration would lead you to believe, but the existing content guidelines aren't as strict. In addition to prohibiting illegal activity, the platform also prohibits hate speech and depictions of graphic violence.
"Anything goes!" is a content moderation policy that is doomed to fail, according to Musk in today's letter.
He wrote that it cannot become a free-for-all hellscape. In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all, where you can choose your desired experience, just as you can choose, for example, to see movies or play video games ranging from all ages to mature.
It is not clear how he will make the platform warm and welcoming without violating the guidelines that aim to protect the most vulnerable users.
He ends the letter by saying that he wants to be the most respected advertising platform in the world.
Musk did not use alt text when he posted these three text-laden pictures of his letter to advertisers. It is a good chance to call our presumptive bird app overlord because most people I follow don't use alt text. Hey, Mr. alt text should be used to make sure that people with vision-related disabilities are able to engage in the conversation on social media.
The end is (maybe) near: Elon Musk is at Twitter HQ
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