Look Who's Tweeting: Guy Adams Back on Twitter After NBC Drops Complaint
And just like that, he's back: Guy Adams, the Independent reporter Twitter suspended for a supposed privacy violation after he harshly criticized NBC's Olympics coverage, has had his account reinstated, critical tweets and all. Shortly after Adams posted a follow-up story on The Independent describing Twitter's lack of response to his questions about his suspension, Twitter turned his account back on. "Twitter emails to tell me: 'we have just received an update from the complainant retracting their original request...' " Adams tweeted. And then: " '... Therefore your account has been unsuspended.' No further explanation given, or apology offered."
RELATED: Twitter Suspended a Critic of NBC For Sharing NBC Executive's Email
Twitter had said Adams had violated its policy against sharing other people's personal information when he urged people to complain to email NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel to complain about the delay in broadcasting Olympics opening ceremonies in the United States. Adams is based in Los Angeles. Twitter And NBC, which are partnering to share coverage of the games, first said Adams had been kicked off because NBC had complained that he'd shared Zenkel's private information. But on Tuesday, NBC confirmed that Twitter had actually first pointed out the tweet, and helped the network lodge a complaint to get Adams' account suspended. Twitter's policy prohibits sharing people's personal information, but not if it's already been posted elsewhere online, as Zenkel's was. The offending tweet is still there:
The man responsible for NBC pretending the Olympics haven't started yet is Gary Zenkel. Tell him what u think! Email: Gary.zenkel@nbcuni.com
— Guy Adams (@guyadams) July 27, 2012
Displaying a bit of dry wit, Adams tweeted upon his return: "Did I miss much while I was away?," to which an array of armchair comedians replied with variations on "We'll tell you in a few hours."
RELATED: NBC Says Twitter Instigated Journalist's Suspension
Update, 3:53PM EDT: Twitter has released a statement on its official blog which reads in part:
The Trust and Safety team does not actively monitor users’ content. In all cases, whether the user is the head of a major corporation, a celebrity, or a regular user, we require a report to be filed at our abusive users webform. Not only do we need a report, but we need a report from the person whose private information has been posted, or someone who is able to legally act on their behalf. We do not proactively report or remove private information on behalf of other users, no matter who they are.
