Elon Musk, Twitter deal done. Now, beware of hate speech?

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk agreed a deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion, at a price of $54.20 a share. The news broke out on Monday amid concerns regarding free speech for the social media platform. Read on to find out more.

Not even in the hot seat yet and Elon Musk already faces a series of challenges. Musk, in the past, had criticized Twitter’s moderation policy and called for almost unfettered freedom of speech on the platform. (REUTERS)

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1/5 Not even in the hot seat yet and Elon Musk already faces a series of challenges. Musk, in the past, had criticized Twitter’s moderation policy and called for almost unfettered freedom of speech on the platform. (REUTERS)

According to Reuters, one of the first decisions by Elon Musk as the new Twitter boss will be user-friendly tweaks to the social media platform, such as the inclusion of an edit button. Users have been longing for an edit feature on the platform. (REUTERS)

2/5 According to Reuters, one of the first decisions by Elon Musk as the new Twitter boss will be user-friendly tweaks to the social media platform, such as the inclusion of an edit button. Users have been longing for an edit feature on the platform. (REUTERS)

Musk also calls himself a free speech absolutist and wants Twitter’s algorithm to lower its moderation criteria and re-instate banned personalities such as former President of the United States Donald Trump. Elon Musk said in a statement, "Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.” (AFP)

3/5 Musk also calls himself a free speech absolutist and wants Twitter’s algorithm to lower its moderation criteria and re-instate banned personalities such as former President of the United States Donald Trump. Elon Musk said in a statement, "Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.” (AFP)

This has received a mixed reaction from the public where conservatives welcomed the prospect of fewer controls whereas human rights activists expressed concern towards a potential rise in hate speech, according to Reuters. (REUTERS)

4/5 This has received a mixed reaction from the public where conservatives welcomed the prospect of fewer controls whereas human rights activists expressed concern towards a potential rise in hate speech, according to Reuters. (REUTERS)

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had been in Elon Musk’s corner for a while and thanked both Musk and current twitter CEO Parag Agrawal in a series of tweets. He said in a statement "Twitter as a company has always been my sole issue and my biggest regret. It has been owned by Wall Street and the ad model. Taking it back from Wall Street is the correct first step.” (AFP)

5/5 Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had been in Elon Musk’s corner for a while and thanked both Musk and current twitter CEO Parag Agrawal in a series of tweets. He said in a statement "Twitter as a company has always been my sole issue and my biggest regret. It has been owned by Wall Street and the ad model. Taking it back from Wall Street is the correct first step.” (AFP)