"Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," Musk said in a statement announcing the deal, vowing to improve the platform so as to "increase trust."
As part of its content moderation efforts, the social media giant has banned users believed to be spreading dangerous falsehoods or inciting violence, including former President
Musk has been among the critics of companies that have deplatformed controversial users such as those fighting against vaccine and mask mandates amid the pandemic.
The statement also quoted
Musk aims to complete the transaction by the end of 2022 and Twitter will become a private company.
Twitter's board decided unanimously to accept Musk's buyout offer. Shareholders will receive
==Kyodo
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