Finnish authorities are looking for an alternative information channel following Twitter’s recent takeover by Elon Musk and the ensuing ambiguity around the company’s future.
On Wednesday, Twitter announced that none of its policies had changed. However, “what has changed is our approach to experimentation. As you’ve seen over the past several weeks, Twitter is embracing public testing.”
Finnish authorities are monitoring Twitter’s development closely. The service has been in constant use by the police, rescue services, and ministries. That practice has now been called into question and may even come to an end.
Preparations to end their use of Twitter have already been done, Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Web Content Manager Laura Rantanen told MTV3 on Thursday. For the time being, the use continues, but the data gathered on Twitter has been saved as a precaution.
A similar message is conveyed by the National Police Board. The Senior Adviser Anna Lind told MTV3 that the police would act according to public sentiments. “In case our public decides to leave (the service), if Twitter would no longer be available at app stores or if the quality of its content significantly deteriorates, then the matter must be considered.”
Lind also revealed that the police, in preparation for the future, have reserved a username in the Mastodon social network service.
In Wednesday’s video meeting with Elon Musk, Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton urged Twitter to abandon its arbitrary pursuits. Taking to Twitter himself, Breton summarised his views: “Huge work ahead still — as Twitter will have to implement transparent user policies, significantly reinforce content moderation and tackle disinformation. Looking forward to seeing progress in all these areas.”
(Pekka Vänttinen | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
