Elon Musk has signed a deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion, promising to implement a series of reforms in the social network, including softening censorship.

Analysts are wondering how the new owner’s approach will change the structure and operation of this largest social network, which its new owner has called a digital city square where the most important issues of humanity are discussed.

Human rights groups have already raised concerns that the lack of moderation could lead to an increase in violent and hateful posts.

Many Twitter users are also wondering if this means that accounts suspended by the company will now be unlocked and returned to their owners.

The most famous person whose account was blocked was former US President Donald Trump.

Shortly after the deal was announced, human rights groups raised concerns about the hate speech on Twitter, as well as the power that its new owner, Elon Musk, who calls himself an absolute champion of free speech, will receive.

Musk has been a vocal critic of the platform’s policy on content moderation, arguing that Twitter should be a true forum for free speech.

In a post-deal statement, he called freedom of speech the foundation of a functioning democracy.

Amnesty International, a human rights organization, said on its Twitter page: “We are concerned about any steps that Twitter might take to undermine compliance with policies and mechanisms designed to protect users. The last thing we need is Twitter that deliberately closes eyes on violent and offensive language directed at users, especially those disproportionately affected, including women, non-binary people, and others.”

“Two words: toxic Twitter “

Twitter has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment on these concerns.

But even if his account is unbanned, Trump has already said he has no plans to return to Twitter. Instead, he will continue to use his own Truth Social.

“I don’t go on Twitter, I’ll stay on Truth,” Trump told Fox News.

He added that, in his opinion, Musk (Trump called him a “good person”) will improve the social network, but this will not affect his decision to return there.

Trump’s representatives have not yet responded to a BBC request for comment.

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at investment management firm TF International Securities, told the BBC that Trump may decide to return if he plans to run in the 2024 US presidential election.

“For him, Twitter is still the best choice, unless the company decides to restore his account,” Kuo said. “It will be very difficult to create a platform with more influence than Twitter before the next presidential election.”

Will users leave Twitter ?

Musk hopes even his most outspoken critics will stay on the platform “because that’s what free speech is all about.”

However, some users have threatened to leave Twitter, while others have already left the platform.

British actress Jameela Jameel, best known for her role in The Good Place, said the platform will become an even more lawless, hateful, xenophobic, bigoted and misogynistic space.

“I wish this was my last tweet,” Jameel wrote to her several million followers.

“Ah, he bought twitter. I wish this was my last tweet. Really *any* excuse to show photos of Barold. I’m afraid this free speech bid will help this hellish platform reach its ultimate form of completely lawless hate.” , bigotry and misogyny. Good luck.”

Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D., a research fellow at the University of Maryland, said she will remain on the platform, where she has more than 450,000 followers, for now.

According to her, experts have no idea how Twitter will look like under the leadership of Elon Musk.

“But we know for sure that if all decent people leave, it will quickly become much worse here,” she added.

“ For those who asked, yes, I’m staying on Twitter . There are still a lot of good people working here , and we have no idea what it will look like under Elon Musk. But we * for sure * know that, if all the decent people leave, it will quickly get much worse here . ”

Dan Ives, an analyst at investment firm Wedbush Securities, believes that most users will take a wait-and-see approach.

“Now we have to flirt with new users and try to prevent desertion,” he said.

Twitter’s 11-member board unanimously agreed to Musk’s offer to buy Twitter for $44 billion.

Jack Dorsey, one of the founders and still on the board of directors, is pleased that the platform will continue to help in the public dialogue, although he does not believe that anyone should own or manage Twitter.

Twitter should be a public good at the level of computer protocols, not a company,” Dorsey tweeted on Tuesday.

“However, to solve the problem that this is still a company, Elon is the only person I trust,” Dorsey added. “I believe in his mission to expand the horizons of our consciousness.”

According to Reuters news agency, Twitter chief executive Parag Agrawal addressed employees, where he said that the future of the company is still unclear.

“We don’t know which direction the platform will move after the deal closes,” Agrawal said.

On Monday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters that US President Joe Biden has long been concerned about the influence of major social media, regardless of who owns or operates the social network Twitter.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said the Twitter purchase was a danger to democracy, while pushing for a wealth tax and tough rules to hold big tech companies accountable.

Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn hailed the agreement as an encouraging day for free speech.

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