Twitter users are calling for a boycott of the micro-blogging site on 13 October using the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter after actress Rose McGowan’s access to the site was ‘limited’ on Thursday. McGowan shared a screenshot of a message from Twitter that cited “violation of Twitter Rules” as the cause.
McGowan would be unable to tweet, retweet, or reply to messages, but would still be able to read Twitter and send direct messages.
McGowan had been tweeting in support of women who have claimed to have been sexually abused by Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
She has also called out Ben Affleck, who has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by One Tree Hill star Hilarie Burton.
Twitter stated that it was the ‘release of private information’ (in McGowan’s case, a phone number) that was cause for the suspension.
Following the suspension, several users took to the site, asking for women (and men) to boycott it.
Those tweeting with the hashtag have called out all those in support to use it, irrespective of what gender they are.
Men have, in fact, responded to the call for Twitter to be boycotted, with many tweeting to express their support.
However, there were some skeptics who didn’t think boycotting Twitter is a solution.
Twitter’s official statement saying that McGowan’s account was given limited access because she had released private information (a phone number) via a tweet deterred some from supporting the boycott.
Following deletion of the tweet in question, McGowan’s account was unlocked, but the entire ordeal called into question Twitter’s opaque user policies.
Are you boycotting Twitter today? Let us know in the comments.
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