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Video: Twitter Even Ignores User Commands, Suppresses 'Unplanned' Anti-Abortion Film

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When the anti-abortion film “Unplanned” had its Twitter account deleted briefly over the weekend, I figured its restoration would have been the end of the problems.

The so-called “error” had already drawn enough negative attention to Twitter — which, to be blunt, doesn’t need it and, one would have thought, would have avoided unpleasantness like this in the future.

As it turns out, not so much. A second Twitter controversy involving the film — which tells the story of a Planned Parenthood director who ended up leaving the organization after witnessing an abortion — erupted shortly after the account was reinstated.

According to those in charge of the account, Twitter has excised a fair chunk of its followers and refused to let them re-follow the movie’s account.

This was the first report from the people over at “Unplanned” and the movie’s Twitter account:

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The proprietors of the account suddenly noticed a huge drop in subscribers:

And then came reports from various users — including pro-life actress Patricia Heaton — that they couldn’t follow the movie’s account.

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And here’s a video of the problem. Note how the user’s “follow” commands are clearly not being followed. (Also, mute the sound or ignore the background dialogue, it’s not related to the topic.)

The “Unplanned” account eventually noted that the Twitter count came back, although users were still reporting problems following it.

In response to the suspension, Twitter had said that the movie’s account was linked to another account that was taken down for a violation of the terms of service.

Do you think Twitter's actions were intentional censorship?

The company claimed that its tools take down all accounts linked to suspended accounts, which included that of “Unplanned.” On a second look, the company reinstated the account for “Unplanned.”

As for what happened this time, we still haven’t gotten any sort of explanation. For all we know, it could have been a bug. As of mid-morning Eastern Time on Monday, I could follow the page without it unfollowing it for me. Heaton also noted the problem had been fixed.

However, the movie’s account did note a bit of an incongruity in how it was being treated by Twitter.

It’s an interesting question after a curious weekend for the movie’s producers.

But also a good one — the film overperformed at the box office with a $6.1 million opening.

Sometimes the best revenge is living — or pulling — well.

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C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014.
C. Douglas Golden is a writer who splits his time between the United States and Southeast Asia. Specializing in political commentary and world affairs, he's written for Conservative Tribune and The Western Journal since 2014. Aside from politics, he enjoys spending time with his wife, literature (especially British comic novels and modern Japanese lit), indie rock, coffee, Formula One and football (of both American and world varieties).
Birthplace
Morristown, New Jersey
Education
Catholic University of America
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Topics of Expertise
American Politics, World Politics, Culture




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