Widow of American Killed in Jordan Sues Twitter for Aiding ISIS

The woman accuses Twitter of supporting the spread of ISIS by enabling its followers to recruit on the platform.

The widow alleges that Twitter is giving a platform to ISIS. (Photo: Reuters)

A Florida-based woman has filed a lawsuit against the micro-blogging site Twitter, accusing the firm of supporting the global spread of Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) by enabling its followers to recruit on its social media platform.

According to a report in Wired.com, Tamara Fields, whose husband was killed in a lone wolf terrorist attack in Amman, Jordan, in November last year, has sued Twitter for damages.

<p>Without Twitter, the explosive growth of IS over the last few years into the most-feared terrorist group in the world would not have been possible. Twitter has knowingly permitted IS to spread propaganda and recruit members. </p>

<b>Field’s Lawsuit</b>

Twitter, however, has rejected the lawsuit’s claims.

<p>While we believe the lawsuit is without merit, we are deeply saddened to hear of this family’s terrible loss. Like people around the world, we are horrified by the atrocities perpetrated by extremist groups and their ripple effects on the Internet. Violent threats and the promotion of terrorism deserve no place on Twitter and, like other social networks, our rules make that clear. </p>

<b>Twitter Spokesperson</b>

Fields, however, is also urging the court to enter an order declaring that Twitter has violated the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Wired.com report says if Fields wins, it could be a precedent-setting lawsuit, making Twitter accountable not only to governments looking to contain terrorist speech online, but also liable to families affected by that activity.

In a fresh bid to combat abusive behaviour, Twitter announced last month that it is revising its rules to tackle hateful conduct including spreading of terror messages online.

Over the past year, Twitter has taken several steps to fight abuse in order to protect freedom of expression.

It has empowered users with tools for blocking, muting and reporting abusive behaviour.