Elon Musk's Twitter Ends Trust and Safety Council

Meanwhile, former Twitter head of Trust and Safety Yoel Roth and his family fled their home after threats and harassment.

By Steve Huff

NurPhoto | Getty Images

Elon Musk's Twitter made another dramatic move Monday evening, disbanding its Trust and Safety Council.

The volunteer council was dissolved by email shortly before a planned Zoom meeting with Twitter execs, reports the Washington Post. Sources told the Post that members expecting to meet instead received a message with "Thank You" in the subject line. The text stated that the council wasn't ideal for bringing "external insights" into Twitter as a product or for "policy development work."

Here's more from the Post:

Dozens of civil rights leaders, academics and advocates from around the world had volunteered their time for years to help improve safety on the platform.

"We are grateful for your engagement, advice and collaboration in recent years and wish you every success in the future," said the email, which was simply signed "Twitter."

A source speaking anonymously to the paper out of fear of harassment said Twitter was dumping "years of institutional memory" and that "external experts and advocates looking at your services makes you smarter."

The board's demise came after Musk attacked former Twitter executive Yoel Roth over the weekend. Once tasked with trust and safety oversight, Roth and his family reportedly had to flee their San Francisco home after Musk tweeted statements misrepresenting Roth's academic studies related to sexual activity and minors.

Roth and other Twitter users who had chatted with him also received threats, with a source close to Roth telling the Post that Roth's loved ones and acquaintances deleted their accounts out of fear.

Roth continued in his role as head of trust and safety for two weeks following Musk's acquisition of Twitter, defending his new boss in interviews about the changeover. By mid-November, Roth had resigned, later publishing an op-ed in the New York Times in which he said he'd left Twitter in part because "a Twitter whose policies are defined by edict has little need for a trust and safety function dedicated to its principled development."

Steve Huff

Entrepreneur Staff

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business Solutions

Learn to Build a ChatGPT Bot for Only $30

If you want to see what AI can do for your business, grab this course bundle today.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

Health & Wellness

5 Essential Steps to Expand Your Vision and Start Living Your Dream Life

It's time to break free from your comfort zone and expand your vision. When you refuse to settle for a mediocre life, you can start building a life you love.

Thought Leaders

The Collapse of Credit Suisse: A Cautionary Tale of Resistance to Hybrid Work

This cautionary tale serves as a reminder for business leaders to adapt to the changing world of work and prioritize their workforce's needs and preferences.

Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas To Start Right Now

To start one of these home-based businesses, you don't need a lot of funding -- just energy, passion and the drive to succeed.