Violent extremist groups

Twitter Rules: You may not make specific threats of violence or wish for the serious physical harm, death, or disease of an individual or group of people. This includes, but is not limited to, threatening or promoting terrorism. You also may not affiliate with organizations that – whether by their own statements or activity both on and off the platform – use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes.

Rationale 

We take pride in Twitter being a platform where a diverse range of opinions can be held and discussed, but we will not tolerate groups or individuals associated with them who engage in and promote violence against civilians both on and off the platform. Accounts affiliated with groups in which violence is a component of advancing their cause risk having a chilling effect on opponents and bystanders. The violence that such groups promote could also have dangerous consequences offline, jeopardizing their targets’ physical safety.

When this applies

We prohibit the use of Twitter’s services by violent extremist groups – i.e., identified groups subscribing to the use of violence as a means to advance their cause, whether political, religious, or social. 

We consider violent extremist groups to be those which meet all of the below criteria:

• identify through their stated purpose, publications, or actions, as an extremist group
• have engaged in, or currently engage in, violence (and/or the promotion of violence) as a means to further their cause
• target civilians in their acts (and/or promotion) of violence

Exceptions will be considered for groups that have reformed or are currently engaging in a peaceful resolution process, as well as groups with representatives elected to public office through democratic elections. This policy does not apply to military or government entities.

Behavior we look for when determining whether an account is affiliated with a violent extremist group includes: 

• stating or suggesting that an account represents or is part of a violent extremist group
• providing or distributing services (e.g., financial, media/propaganda) in furtherance of progressing a violent extremist group’s stated goals
• engaging in or promoting acts for the violent extremist group
• recruiting for the violent extremist group

Do I need to be the target of a violent extremist group to report an account for possible affiliation with a violent extremist group and violations of the Twitter Rules?
No, we review both first-person and bystander reports of such accounts. 

Will Twitter take enforcement action if an account does not qualify as a violent extremist group or appear to be affiliated with a violent extremist group?
We will review accounts for violations of our other policies as well. If found to be in violation, then the appropriate enforcement action(s) will be taken.

Consequences

We have a zero-tolerance policy for accounts belonging to or affiliated with violent extremist groups and will permanently suspend them.

If someone believes their account was suspended in error, they can submit an appeal.