Twitter to Deactivate Accounts With Links or Usernames of Rival Social Media Sites

Twitter implemented a new policy prohibiting "free promotion" of rival social media websites, as many users were using the service to watch the World Cup finals on Sunday, Dec. 18.

New Policy: No More Links or Usernames Relating to Rival Sites

Twitter has announced that it would no longer allow accounts whose primary purpose is to promote material from Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Tribel, Post, Nostr, and Donald Trump's Truth Social, and to have external links to these services.

According to Engadget, the policy prevents users from boosting their presence on other social media platforms or encouraging their followers to do so in their tweets or Twitter bios. The tech firm is also placing limitations on the usage of aggregators, such as Linktree and Link.bio.

Twitter users who use techniques such as URL cloaking or less sophisticated workarounds are warned that they will be in violation of the rules if they are determined to do so.

The new policy features two exceptions that the firm has created.

The company acknowledged that some social media websites give alternate experiences to Twitter, adding that users may still upload material to Twitter from other sites. It explained, "In general, any type of cross-posting to our platform is not in violation of this policy, even from the prohibited sites listed above."

In addition, Twitter claims it will maintain its policy of allowing sponsored advertising for all services on its new banned list.

Repercussions of Violations

For "isolated incidents" or first-time offenders, Twitter says it may temporarily suspend access to an account. The offending tweets will be deleted by the platform as well.

Twitter further states that any additional infractions will result in permanent suspension.

Accounts whose profiles include inappropriate links will be suspended temporarily. Twitter reiterates its "permanent suspension" threat for repeat offenders.

Another Chaotic Week Has Gone by for Twitter

Having endured yet another chaotic week, Twitter eventually instituted a new policy.

Some prominent journalists, including Ben Collins of NBC and Donnie O'Sullivan of CNN, were locked out of their Twitter accounts on Dec. 15.

Most of the banned accounts had discussed or linked to Jack Sweeney, whose ElonJet account had been terminated for violating the company's newly stated policy on public location sharing.

Those journalists' accounts were eventually restored, but on Saturday, Dec. 17, Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz's account was suddenly suspended.

Lorenz had only made three postings before she was banned, one of which was a tweet to Musk seeking his input on a forthcoming story. Yet another of her tweets included a link to her YouTube channel.

However, Twitter's rule prohibiting connecting to rival platforms did not exist then, and the new regulation does not mention Google's video site.