Austrian Airlines has left Twitter because of “an increasing spread of hate, agitation, and disinformation” which they say is incompatible with their values.
They consider a continued presence on TikTok, on the other hand, to be consonant with the airline’s values and will continue to remain engaged in that platform. Go figure.
In a statement, the airline says:
Austrian Airlines is leaving the platform X, as an increasing spread of hate, agitation, and disinformation is perceptible and this is not compatible with our values. Austrian Airlines is pleased to continue to keep its communities up to date on the social media platforms Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn and to offer passengers a corresponding service.
Dear guests, you can stay connected with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & LinkedIn. Feel free to reach out anytime via our Austrian App or at https://t.co/YLEBDoRZ3z. pic.twitter.com/nzurTdxHOb
— Austrian Airlines (@_austrian) October 31, 2024
Other members of Lufthansa Group, such as Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, and SWISS, continue to maintain accounts on the platform.
People and businesses can choose where to interact, for both ROI and reputational reasons. Just not liking Elon Musk is enough. Some folks have an aesthetic dislike for Twitter now that it’s owned by Musk, because of his personal politics or because of choices he makes in business. Personality and ideology used to help sell Teslas while along a certain margin it may hamper it now (or may encourage different buyers).
Still, it seems a strange take to say that X is somehow beyond the pale but TikTok better reflects their values. Just a year ago the TikTok algorithm was promoting videos sympathizing with Osama bin Laden. The platform censors content disfavored by the Chinese government, as well as throttling views of videos from racial and sexual minorities. So, okey dokey Austrian.
Osama Bin Laden’s “Letter to America” is going viral on TikTok in the U.S. right now as indoctrinated young people embrace the antisemitic message of the Islamist terrorist leader.
What’s going on in America?
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 16, 2023
Meanwhile, I actually find the ‘For You’ tab of Twitter to be much improved versus a few months ago (as well as optional!) and the platform still the most important place of discourse. It continues to amaze me, for instance, in addition to politicians and public intellectuals how many billionaires are genuinely active and engage directly there. And it’s precisely the lack of traditional gatekeeping that makes Twitter useful.
None of these people are worth hearing from.
This has 100% to do with X not censoring enough. Free speech is dead in Europe and the UK.
It’s interesting how leftists demand censorship, imprison and incite violence against their political opponents, force discrimination by race/gender, and then they call anyone who disagrees with them nazis and fascists, with absolutely no self awareness.
Europe and Britain want to sue Musk **personally** for not censoring tweets BY AMERICANS about AMERICAN elections. And this action is being egged on by high-level politicians in America.
As a classical liberal, I am disgusted with where we are at.
Austria? Birthplace of you-know-who? What about the composition of the current government or the last election results.
While I love Austrian’s onboard service, this is reason enough to not fly them. It moves the needle for me, especially in a highly competitive market.
Even in a globalized world, theres only so much that is learned from vacation travel. Much of Europe and the world outside the US gets their main view and perceptions of the country from legacy and corporate media. Outside of Fox and Sky, its largely hostile to the American right. When your view of America are shaped by CNN, MSNBC, and BBC then this is what the logical conclusion is. If those were my main source of news, I would likely think every one to the right of Biden was a fascist that wanted to replicate Nazi Germany.
Austria, the country that attempted to forcefully administer an experimental drug to all its citizens.
It’s genuinely concerning how aggressively governments and corporations are working together to control the flow of information. It’s also disappointing to see the political left, once deeply committed to free speech, demanding that views they dislike be labeled as “hate speech” or “disinformation” so that it can be silenced.
lol. Gary out to defend his Maga overlords as always. Xitter is a cesspool.
Tik Tok is just for scrolling when I’m bored. I would never go there to get important information.
Before messaging Twitter was the fastest way to get to customer service at Delta but not needed.
I support Austrian decision. It’s their company and they get to pick where they want to be attached.
I think by “hate” Austrian Airlines means they don’t like passengers having the ability to reach out directly to them via X/twitter. They far prefer being more difficult to access.
@UA Premier guy
Just because they ban X, you ban Austrian. I think your reaction is a lot over the top. As an American retired in Europe, I find that biz class on Austrian Is the best in Europe. Meals are fantastic, choice of five or six brands of Austrian wine, and the very best coffee on the planet. Coupled with good service, I shrug at your rationale. I’m not a fan of Chick-fil-A religious values. But find their sandwiches great. If you can’t live without X for a couple of hours, you have problem.
How dare Elon musk buy Twitter and EXPOSE governments around the world limiting free speech
The genius of the Austrians was convincing the world Hitler was German and Mozart was Austrian.
Twitter used to be a fun bar to hang out in, but then a biker gang bought it and invited back all of the bikers who were 86ed for being jerks to women. Now it’s a biker bar and it’s just not fun to hang out there anymore. So I don’t.