Hollywood actor Rose McGowan. Image: Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock
Some users are threatening to boycott Twitter in wake of Rose McGowan controversy.
Twitter is being roundly criticised after actor Rose McGowan’s account was blocked while she was commenting on the allegations of sexual harassment against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
The actor has since had her account restored but the situation has ignited an inferno, with some users threatening to boycott Twitter for allegedly silencing her as the scandal over Weinstein unfolds.
Allegations of sexual harassment against Weinstein have led to a catalogue of revelations emerging from some of Hollywood’s best-known actors. McGowan has been vocal in her support of women who stepped forward to reveal that the movie mogul harassed them.
Yesterday (12 October), after discovering she was blocked by Twitter, McGowan warned on her Instagram account that “powerful forces were at play”.
However, Twitter’s explanation was rather more mundane: McGowan had apparently violated its terms because a high-profile individual’s phone number was visible in a photograph she had tweeted.
Nevertheless, many users are accusing of Twitter of selectively adhering to its policies.
We have been in touch with Ms. McGowan's team. We want to explain that her account was temporarily locked because one of her Tweets included a private phone number, which violates our Terms of Service. 1/3
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) October 12, 2017
Despite Twitter restoring her account, McGowan compared her situation with that of US president Donald Trump who apparently can threaten the entire planet with nuclear war without being blocked.
when will nuclear war violate your terms of service? https://t.co/72FiiyoZ59
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 12, 2017
This IS exactly what is going on https://t.co/qgYmXI9Ue2
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 12, 2017
Women fight on. And to the men out there, stand up. We need you as allies. #bebrave
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 5, 2017
Tomorrow we stand with @rosemcgowan & survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, & abuse. We join those choosing to boycott Twitter. pic.twitter.com/aoGogV8FNs
— Refinery29 (@Refinery29) October 13, 2017
Twitter said that key decision-makers were out of the office when the call was made to block McGowan’s account.
“We want to explain that her account was temporarily locked because one of her tweets included a private phone number, which violates our terms of service,” Twitter said. “The tweet was removed and her account has been unlocked. We will be clearer about these policies and decisions in the future.”
Twitter may argue that it had only been adhering to its policies, but its actions have led it into a hornet’s nest. McGowan, a verified Twitter user with more than 750,000 followers, has amassed a considerable amount of support from fellow actresses who are outraged at her treatment.
Hey @Twitter let us know which of these rules @rosemcgowan broke. Asking for multiple victims of sexual violence. https://t.co/eiZjQeMAVg
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 12, 2017
And now THIS? You allow Twitter freedom to our president but you silence a woman speaking out about sexual harassment? @rosemcgowan
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) October 12, 2017
Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey reiterated the company’s promise to be more transparent in the future.
?? thread. We need to be a lot more transparent in our actions in order to build trust. https://t.co/7T6aliOXmG
— jack (@jack) October 12, 2017
Hollywood actor Rose McGowan. Image: Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock
