Jack Dorsey, Twitter Chief Executive Officer (CEO), defended the ban on outgoing US President Donald Trump from using the microblogging site Twitter. 

Trump was banned since a violent coup that took place last week which saw Trump supporters storming the US Capitol, leading to five deaths. 

Trump had been using the platform to spread lies about the 2020 US Presidential elections, which he lost.

Jack said that it was the right decision and added that offline violence as a result of online speech is real.  

Twitter's move was followed by other platforms including YouTube. Dorsey's move was slammed by Trump supporters and several Republican politicians, calling it "silencing of free speech."

I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.

— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021

Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation. They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning. And sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.

— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021

This concept was challenged last week when a number of foundational internet tool providers also decided not to host what they found dangerous. I do not believe this was coordinated. More likely: companies came to their own conclusions or were emboldened by the actions of others.

— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021

Yes, we all need to look critically at inconsistencies of our policy and enforcement. Yes, we need to look at how our service might incentivize distraction and harm. Yes, we need more transparency in our moderation operations. All this can’t erode a free and open global internet.

— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021