'Twitter policy is always to err on the side of freedom of expression'
Twitter exercises a policy "always to err on the side of freedom of expression" when dealing with complaints against an account, according to a spokesperson for the microblogging site.
In a brief statement to Malaysiakini, the spokesperson said Twitter has a team that was trained to review each report against the Twitter Rules and Terms of Service and to determine whether or not the reported account violated the rules and terms...
Twitter exercises a policy "always to err on the side of freedom of expression" when dealing with complaints against an account, according to a spokesperson for the microblogging site.
In a brief statement to Malaysiakini, the spokesperson said Twitter has a team that was trained to review each report against the Twitter Rules and Terms of Service and to determine whether or not the reported account violated the rules and terms.
"Our policy is always to err on the side of freedom of expression, as appropriate and within the parameters of the law.
"As a global company, Twitter exercises due diligence to respect local laws in jurisdictions around the world, and duly reviews all legal processes," the statement says.
The statement came as a response to Malaysiakini's request for comments from the company after a Twitter account holder revealed that Putrajaya had made an attempt to get his Tweets critical of the government removed.
However, the attempt failed as Twitter turned down the request that was made by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
According to Twitter, such a request made by a government or authorised legal entity is not new or unique to Malaysia.
"When Twitter receives a valid legal request, we review it under both the Twitter rules and local law. We notify the account holder directly, through the holder’s email account, so they are aware of the legal order request. If the content does violate Twitter Rules, we may remove it from the service.
"Twitter has dedicated contact channels for law enforcement around the world and we respond to legal processes issued in compliance with applicable law," the spokesperson said.
Two days ago, a netizen posted that he had received an email from Twitter informing him about a request made by MCMC to the microblogging site to remove his Twitter posts.
Based on the email he shared, the contents that MCMC wanted to be removed include a tweet where the netizen criticised a flood fundraising event that involved Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun.
The other content that MCMC took issue with was a tweet that criticised Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Noh Omar on his statement regarding the eligibility of flood victims to claim government aid.
