Jul 26, 2018 3:39 PM

Trump’s ‘Shadow Banning’ Claim Isn’t Twitter’s Worst Problem

Accusations of partisan bias come at an inconvenient moment for Twitter, which is trying to clean up its platform and avoid the mistakes of other tech companies.

Image may contain Face Human Person Crowd Audience Speech and Frown

There’s a not-so-subtle irony to the president of the United States tweeting that Twitter is suppressing prominent conservative voices in America---and almost instantly receiving tens of thousands of likes, retweets, and replies. But such are the times.

You’ve read your last free article.

The intersection of technology, power, and culture. Start your free trial and get access to 5 all-new premium newsletters—cancel anytime.

START FREE TRIAL

Already a subscriber? Sign In

The intersection of technology, power, and culture. Get WIRED today. START FREE TRIAL

Issie Lapowsky is a journalist covering technology and national affairs. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, The Atlantic, and more. She was previously a senior writer at WIRED. ... Read More

Contributor

Topicstwitter Facebook Social Media

Meta Changed Its Speech Rules. Then Threats Against Politicians Skyrocketed

New research finds that in the six months after Meta relaxed rules in the name of free speech, violent threats against lawmakers—including President Donald Trump—surged on Facebook.

David Gilbert

Tim Heidecker Wants to Turn Infowars Into Adult Swim for the Internet

Infowars’ would-be creative director talks Sandy Hook, comedy’s MAGA turn, and why the future of satire may look more like a streaming startup than a late-night show.

Katie Drummond

Why You Might Already Own SpaceX Shares, Siri’s AI Makeover, and Knicks Owner’s Surveillance Machine

Today on Uncanny Valley, we take an early look at the SpaceX IPO and why you might find yourself among the investors without even realizing it.

Brian Barrett

The Korean Telecom Giant at the Center of Anthropic’s Mythos Controversy

Days before Anthropic took its most advanced AI models offline, the White House ordered the company to revoke SK Telecom’s access to Claude Mythos over claims of alleged ties to China.

Louise Matsakis

Paramount Refused to Air an Ad Criticizing Its Merger With Warner Bros.

The commercial was submitted by the Freedom of the Press Foundation to run during Donald Trump’s UFC event. It criticized the $111 billion merger as a threat to the First Amendment.

Miles Klee

Alex Vindman Survived Trump’s Retaliation Machine. Now He’s Running for Senate

In 2019, Alex Vindman testified during President Trump’s first impeachment trial–a decision that ended his military career. Now he wants to challenge the president from the halls of Congress.

Katie Drummond

The FCC Wants to Kill Burner Phones

Plus: AI bug hunting fuels Microsoft’s biggest-ever Patch Tuesday, ShinyHunters ransomware gang exploits an Oracle zero-day, and more.

Andy Greenberg

Grok Is Still Hosting Sexualized Deepfakes of Famous Women

A WIRED investigation found dozens of “nudified” deepfake images and videos on Grok's website, including nonconsensual depictions of celebrities and at least one prominent US politician.

Matt Burgess

Americans Are Trading Billions of Dollars on Polymarket’s Banned Offshore Platform

It’s the first estimate of how many Americans are sneaking onto Polymarket’s banned crypto-based platform.

Kate Knibbs

Trump Risks Key Surveillance Authority Over ‘Unqualified’ Spy-Chief Pick

US lawmakers are alarmed that Bill Pulte, a housing official with no intelligence experience, is poised to take charge of one of the government's most powerful surveillance tools.

Dell Cameron

A Court Has Ruled That Google Is Liable for False Statements Generated by AI Overviews

The ruling holds that a company that designs, trains, operates, and manages an AI system must assume legal liability for any damages caused by the responses it generates.

Fernanda González

A Crypto Scam Targeted a Gay OnlyFans Star. Then His X Feed Was Flooded With ‘MAGA Propaganda’

In recent months hackers have attempted to extort money from porn stars with big followings, in some cases filling their feeds with pro-MAGA and crypto content.

Jason Parham

Don't Just Keep Up. Get Ahead