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Musk Buys Twitter

TWITTER TAKEOVER On October 27, Elon Musk took control of the social-media company. This could mean changes in what is allowed on the platform. MICHAEL GERMANA—ZZ/STAR MAX/IPX/AP (INSET); JUSTIN SULLIVAN—GETTY IMAGES

Elon Musk became the owner of Twitter on October 27. Musk also runs the electric carmaker Tesla and the rocket company SpaceX. He paid $44 billion for the social-media company.

Many are wondering how Twitter will change. Musk has said that he would loosen its rules. These rules determine what can be posted on the platform. Musk says this would promote free speech. Others worry that he will unblock users who were suspended. Some broke rules about disinformation and hate speech.

Musk tried to address the issue on October 27. Twitter “cannot become a free-for-all . . . where anything can be said with no consequences,” he wrote. He later added that he would form a “content-moderation council.” This group would decide on any changes to Twitter’s rules.

Some advertisers are concerned. On October 28, General Motors said it would temporarily stop running ads on the site. The automaker said it would “evaluate the direction of the platform.”

Stop and Think! What is free speech? Do you think there should be rules about what people can post on social-media platforms like Twitter? Why?