New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Twitter owner Elon Musk to “lay off the proto-fascism” after the tech billionaire banned several journalists for violating the platforms doxxing policy.
Following the ban of “Elon Jet,” a twitter account dedicated to tracking Musk’s private jet, a myriad of legacy media journalists were suspended from the platform for allegedly participating in doxxing the tech billionaire.
“Same doxxing rules apply to ‘journalists’ as to everyone else,” Musk responded to writer Mike Solana who noted fellow journalists Donie O’Sullivan of CNN, Drew Harwell of the Washington Post, Ryan Mac of the New York Times, and independent journalist Aaron Rupar had shared links to Musk’s private jet tracker.
“They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service,” Musk said.
“You’re a public figure. An extremely controversial and powerful one,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “I get feeling unsafe, but descending into abuse of power + erratically banning journalists only increases the intensity around you. Take a beat and lay off the proto-fascism. Maybe try putting down your phone.”
“As someone who has been subject to real + dangerous plots, I do get it. I didn’t have security and have experienced many scary incidents,” Ocasio-Cortez continued in a separate tweet. “In fact, many of the right-wing outlets you now elevate published photos of my home, car, etc. At a certain point you gotta disconnect.”
“You first lol,” Musk responded.
You first lol
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 16, 2022
“Any account doxxing real-time location info of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation,” Musk said Wednesday evening, reiterating Twitter’s doxxing policy. “This includes posting links to sites with real-time location info. Posting locations someone traveled to on a slightly delayed basis isn’t a safety problem, so is ok.”
“Last night, car carrying lil X in LA was followed by crazy stalker (thinking it was me), who later blocked car from moving & climbed onto hood,” the tech billionaire followed up in a reply tweet referencing his original post. “Legal action is being taken against Sweeney & organizations who supported harm to my family.”
Shortly after the tech billionaire shared a video of a man appearing to wear all black, including a face covering, in the driver’s seat of a car. The person recording on behalf of Musk moves to the front of the vehicle and records the license plate.
“Anyone recognize this person or car?” Musk asked, appearing to suggest the person recorded was the same person following his son’s vehicle.
Anyone recognize this person or car? pic.twitter.com/2U0Eyx7iwl
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 15, 2022
The owner of “Elon Jet,” Jack Sweeney, had his personal Twitter account suspended shortly after.
“Real-time posting of someone else’s location violates doxxing policy, but delayed posting of locations are ok,” Musk said Wednesday evening, appearing to contradict his previous statement that he believed the account following his private jet fell under Twitter’s “free speech” policy.
“My commitment to free speech extends even to not banning the account following my plane, even though that is a direct personal safety risk,” Musk said in early November.
“Criticizing me all day long is totally fine, but doxxing my real-time location and endangering my family is not,” Musk clarified late Thursday.
