Elon Musk’s X social media platform has walked back its new policy to censor users who use the “wrong” “gender pronouns” following a widespread backlash against the rule.
Last week, it emerged that X quietly updated its policies to state that users will be censored if they use the biologically correct pronouns for a person who claims to be “transgender” or “non-binary.”
The new policy would force people to use the wrong pronouns for someone or awkwardly try to refer to “gender-fluid” people with “they/them” pronouns.
X started enforcing revised rules that were detailed in its platform guidelines for users.
Among other things, X added a section to the “Abuse and Harassment” that concerns the use of pronouns.
It also added restriction on speech when referring to a person who claims they are doing the scientifically impossible task of “transitioning” to a different gender.
The “amended” rules came into force at some point between January 24 and 27 this year but were only brought to light last week.
They state that any X user found to be “purposefully” addressing another using a pronoun different than what that user has chosen for themselves, the “offender” will be punished by having their