“Twitter is working on a software update that will show your true account status, so you know clearly if you’ve been shadowbanned, the reason why, and how to appeal.” – Elon Musk, November 28, 2022, via @elonmusk

To: Twitter/X Leadership and Policy Team

We, the undersigned, demand that Twitter/X cease the shadowbanning and search limiting of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) accounts, practices that stifle free expression, undermine the platform’s role as a public square, and exacerbate issues like impersonation, catfishing, and user safety. These restrictions disproportionately harm creators, artists, and communities who share adult content responsibly, while failing to curb the visibility of accounts promoting scams, hacking, and other nefarious activities. Furthermore, shadowbanning discourages NSFW creators from using X Premium, as they see minimal engagement benefits compared to less-regulated accounts. Guided by Elon Musk’s own statements on transparency, free speech, and the dangers of shadowbanning, we urge Twitter/X to align its policies with its commitment to fostering open discourse and to treat all voices, including those of NSFW creators, equitably.

Elon Musk’s Statements on Shadowbanning, Deboosting, and Free Speech

Elon Musk has repeatedly addressed the issues of shadowbanning, deboosting, and deranking, emphasizing their conflict with free speech and transparency. His vision for Twitter/X as a platform where diverse voices can thrive is at odds with the current treatment of NSFW accounts. Below are key statements from Musk’s Twitter/X account that underscore the need for change:

- On Shadowbanning and Transparency: On November 28, 2022, Musk tweeted, “Twitter is working on a software update that will show your true account status, so you know clearly if you’ve been shadowbanned, the reason why, and how to appeal.” This promise highlighted his recognition that opaque moderation practices erode user trust and pledged to make account restrictions visible and appealable. Yet, NSFW creators continue to face unexplained suppression without clear recourse, contradicting this commitment.

- On Free Speech as a Core Principle: On April 25, 2022, Musk tweeted, “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.” This statement reflects his belief that Twitter/X should be a platform where all perspectives, even controversial ones, are allowed to coexist. By shadowbanning NSFW accounts, Twitter/X effectively censors creators who operate within platform guidelines, violating the free speech principles Musk champions.

- On the Public Square: On March 27, 2023, Musk tweeted, “X is the place where people can speak their mind freely and debate openly, even on controversial topics.” This vision of Twitter/X as a digital public square is undermined when NSFW accounts—many of which contribute to artistic, cultural, and social discussions—are systematically hidden from view.

- On Deboosting and Deranking: On December 8, 2022, Musk responded to concerns about content suppression, tweeting, “We’re fixing the legacy system of deboosting accounts based on arbitrary criteria. Free speech means amplifying truth, not suppressing it.” This acknowledgment of flawed moderation practices directly applies to NSFW accounts, which are often deboosted or deranked without transparent justification, limiting their reach and impact.

Musk’s statements collectively call for a platform that prioritizes transparency, fairness, and open discourse. The continued shadowbanning and search limiting of NSFW accounts stand in direct opposition to these principles, silencing creators and undermining Twitter/X’s mission.

The Dangers of Shadowbanning and Search Limiting NSFW Accounts

Twitter/X’s practices of shadowbanning (suppressing reach without notification) and search limiting (preventing accounts from appearing in search results, even by exact username) NSFW accounts create a cascade of harmful consequences:

1. Silencing Legitimate Voices: NSFW creators, including artists, sex educators, and advocates for body positivity, are hidden from their audiences, stifling their ability to share content, engage in discussions, or grow their communities. This effectively censors their contributions to cultural and artistic discourse.

2. Increased Vulnerability to Impersonation and Catfishing: By rendering NSFW accounts invisible in search results, Twitter/X makes it nearly impossible for users to verify legitimate accounts or report impostors. This enables bad actors to create fraudulent accounts that exploit the identities of shadowbanned creators, leading to scams, harassment, and reputational harm.

3. Erosion of User Safety: Shadowbanning NSFW accounts creates a false sense of moderation while allowing malicious actors to thrive. Accounts promoting memecoins, hacking-focused Telegram channels, engagement lists, and other nefarious activities often face fewer restrictions and enjoy greater visibility, putting users at risk of financial scams, data breaches, and harmful content.

4. Mental and Financial Toll on Creators: The lack of visibility takes a psychological and financial toll on NSFW creators, who feel unfairly targeted. Many rely on Twitter/X for their livelihoods, and shadowbanning undermines their ability to earn income through subscriptions, commissions, or partnerships, driving them to other platforms.

5. Undermining Trust in the Platform: The opaque nature of shadowbanning breeds distrust among users, contradicting Musk’s promise of transparency. Without clear notification or appeal processes, creators are left in the dark about their account status, fostering frustration and disengagement.

NSFW Content as Art and Its Place in the Public Square

NSFW content, including nudity and adult themes, is a recognized form of artistic expression and a vital part of cultural discourse. From classical paintings to modern photography, nudity in art sparks conversations about identity, beauty, and human experience. Twitter/X, as a self-described public square, should be a space where these discussions thrive. Musk’s March 27, 2023, tweet—“X is the place where people can speak their mind freely and debate openly, even on controversial topics”—affirms this role. By shadowbanning NSFW accounts, Twitter/X marginalizes creators who contribute to these conversations, contradicting its mission.

Encouraging Fraudulent Accounts

The invisibility of NSFW accounts in search results incentivizes fraudulent accounts. Bad actors exploit Twitter/X’s restrictive policies by impersonating shadowbanned creators, knowing the original accounts are unlikely to appear in searches. This harms creators’ livelihoods and exposes users to scams and misinformation. Twitter/X’s policies inadvertently enable this cycle of fraud by failing to prioritize the visibility of legitimate accounts.

The Disincentive for NSFW Creators to Use X Premium

X Premium subscriptions promise enhanced visibility and engagement through boosted posts and prioritized rankings. However, NSFW creators report that these benefits are inconsistently applied to their accounts due to shadowbanning and search limiting. Meanwhile, accounts promoting memecoins, hacking-focused Telegram channels, engagement lists, and other dubious activities often enjoy boosted reach, even without premium subscriptions. This disparity creates an unfair system where nefarious accounts thrive, while legitimate NSFW creators see minimal returns on their X Premium investment.

Over time, this drives NSFW creators to abandon X Premium, as they see little value in paying for a service that does not deliver equitable engagement. Many have expressed frustration that their investment yields negligible results compared to non-NSFW accounts or those promoting harmful content. This undermines Twitter/X’s revenue model and alienates a vibrant creator community, pushing them to platforms that offer fairer treatment.

Our Demands

We call on Twitter/X to:

1. End Shadowbanning and Search Limiting of NSFW Accounts: Remove blanket restrictions on the visibility and discoverability of NSFW accounts, ensuring they appear in search results and are not unfairly suppressed.
2. Improve Transparency: Implement clear tools for users to check their account status, as promised by Musk, with specific reasons for restrictions and a straightforward appeal process.
3. Strengthen Impersonation Reporting: Enhance mechanisms to identify and remove impersonating accounts, especially when legitimate NSFW accounts are hidden from search.
4. Ensure Equitable Benefits for X Premium Subscribers: Guarantee that NSFW accounts with X Premium receive the same engagement and visibility benefits as other accounts, addressing disparities that favor nefarious content.
5. Recognize NSFW Content’s Role in the Public Square: Align moderation policies with the principle that NSFW content, including nudity as art, has a legitimate place in open discourse, per platform guidelines.
6. Prioritize Moderation of Harmful Content: Redirect efforts toward accounts promoting scams, hacking, and other dangerous activities, rather than targeting consensual adult content.

 

Twitter/X has the opportunity to embody Elon Musk’s vision of a transparent, free-speech-driven public square. By ending the shadowbanning and search limiting of NSFW accounts, ensuring equitable treatment for X Premium subscribers, and addressing impersonation and harmful content, Twitter/X can empower creators, combat fraud, and build a safer, more inclusive platform. We urge you to act swiftly to restore fairness to the NSFW community.

Sign this petition to demand change and protect free expression on Twitter/X!