Who Should Have the Right To Delete Content Off The Internet?

Twitter has been experimenting with a new feature that allows users to delete past tweets or edit them on the platform. The tech media has been generally supportive of the idea, noting that it would be great for people to be able to remove themselves from conversations that become toxic or to remove outdated content. On the surface, it certainly seems like a good empowering feature. Until you consider the door that this feature may open for other types of content to be scrubbed from the Internet.

WIRED magazine explored the very real problem of what happens if Russia is able to remove social media posts that document war crimes. There is an organization called Mnemonic that is already using software to save and archive these types of posts so they can later be recalled as evidence, but this activity may get harder if the ability to delete or remove posts becomes more widespread. Not being able to edit or delete past tweets would be a small price to pay if it means that those who are documenting atrocities from war could insure their efforts might actually reach those in a position to do something about it.