UPDATE: Twitter pauses purge after user backlash

Only yesterday we reported (see below) that twitter was preparing for a massive cull of inactive accounts. The Purge was set to take place from the 11th December, and immediate action was recommended to individuals and businesses wishing to retain their accounts.

However, Twitter has now come out and said it will “pause” these plans following user backlash. The social network said it now would not remove accounts until it had a process for "memorialising" dead users on the network.

Twitter said: "Beyond complying with GDPR, we may broaden the enforcement of our inactivity policy in the future to comply with other regulations around the world and to ensure the integrity of the service.

"We will communicate with all of you if we do."

So for now it is back to how you were, but it is best to keep an eye out for any further updates, and our team at BBI are on the ball, bringing you the latest ground-breaking developments as they come in. 

If you are unsure about what to do with your account, or would like any further information on this matter, then please get in touch. 

Twitter purges dormant tweeters

Twitter is preparing for a massive cull of inactive accounts, which it defines as those where no one has logged in at least once during the past six months. One of the reasons given was that the accounts concerned could not have given their consent to the social network’s updated privacy policy.

The purge will take place as from 11th December, and individuals and businesses that wish to retain their accounts and usernames need to log in before then to stop being closed down. In fact, immediate action would be advisable, because social media channels have been known to suffer from technical glitches! 

It is also worth noting that Twitter is considering extending the cull in future, so that you not only have to log in but actively use the account. Apart from anything else, this will keep their advertisers happy.

Time to grab that name?

There could be a big bonus for some from this move, because come December 11th 2019 there will be a whole lot of usernames suddenly made available. Businesses and individuals that have been unable to have the attention-grabbing username for their accounts because they were already taken by inactive tweeters could be in for a pleasant surprise.

The cull, which will currently not affect accounts in the USA, is expected to close down possibly millions of accounts. Get ready for the great Twitter bonanza - one or more of these might have your name on it, or at least a name that you would really like to use!

Need a hand with Twitter or any other aspect of social media marketing? Get in touch!