Twitter operates in many countries worldwide, each with its laws, cultural norms, and political sensitivities. As a result, Twitter country-specific policies and regulations vary across different regions. This comprehensive guide examines Twitter’s country-wise content regulations, government requests, copyright policies, and other rules users should know about.
Table of Contents
United States Policies and Regulations
As Twitter’s home jurisdiction, US laws on free speech apply, but the platform still prohibits certain types of harmful and illegal content.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Violent threats, harassment, hateful conduct | Not allowed, accounts face suspension |
| Impersonation, privacy violations | Not permitted, tweets removed and accounts locked |
| Copyright and trademark infringement | Repeat offenders suspended, content removed |
| Misinformation in political ads | Prohibited under advertising policies |
- Twitter complies with US sanctions laws and blocks accounts of sanctioned groups and individuals.
- It works with law enforcement on legal investigative requests under US laws.
Latest update: Twitter’s controversial 2022 policy on misinformation was reversed in late 2023 following backlash. All legal speech is now permitted, and false claims can be disputed openly.
Also read: Twitter Ads Policy Guide: Understanding Rules & Best Practices for 2023
European Union Policies and Regulations
As a US company, Twitter has to adhere to EU speech laws, privacy regulations, copyright directives, and more.
| EU Laws and Directives | Twitter’s Compliance |
|---|---|
| GDPR on data privacy | Data practices aligned with consent requirements |
| EU Code on hate speech takedowns | EU users can request the removal of certain personal info |
| Right to be forgotten | EU users can request removal of certain personal info |
| EU Copyright Directive | Takedowns of infringing tweets based on valid notices |
- As per EU country laws, Twitter blocks unlawful content like Nazi propaganda and hate speech.
- It complies with orders from EU data and competition authorities on privacy, antitrust, etc.
Latest update: After Brexit, Twitter UK must comply separately with UK laws and regulations applicable in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom Policies and Regulations
As a close US ally, the UK has more aligned policies with key differences on privacy, copyright, and investigations.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Extremist content | Blocked and reported to authorities |
| Defamation | Court ordered takedowns enforced |
| Private info leaks | Removed on complaint if illegal |
| Electoral ads | Metadata and spending transparency required |
- Twitter works with UK law enforcement on legal requests under local laws.
- It may censor certain content during elections based on Electoral Commission orders.
Latest update: If passed in 2023, the Online Safety Bill would impose duties like removing illegal content, protecting children, and limiting legal harms.
India Policies and Regulations
India has some unique policy requirements for Twitter under its IT laws.
| Indian Laws and Rules | Twitter’s Compliance |
|---|---|
| Blocking content illegal in India | Prohibited types of content withheld |
| Emergency takedowns | Posts and accounts removed under government orders |
| Grievance officer for legal requests | Dedicated India representative appointed |
| Election content oversight | Works with Election Commission to enforce political advertising rules |
- Twitter complies with court orders to remove defamatory, privacy-violating, and other illegal content under Indian law.
- It provides user information to Indian law enforcement based on legal requests.
Latest update: India introduced tough new social media rules in 2021 on tracing originators of posts, proactive content takedowns, etc., causing compliance challenges for Twitter.
China Policies and Regulations
Twitter is officially banned in mainland China but available in Hong Kong under China’s censorship regime.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Criticism of Chinese government | Heavily censored within mainland China |
| Controversial issues like Taiwan, Tibet | Not allowed in compliance with Chinese regulations |
| Rumors of disasters, epidemics, protests | Quick takedowns to stop spread |
| State media accounts | Verified by Twitter China for transparency |
- Terms of service are customized for China to allow broad government censorship.
- Access speeds can be slowed down if content takedowns are not immediate.
Latest update: Twitter usage in Hong Kong has also faced increasing restrictions since 2020 under the national security law.
Brazil Policies and Regulations
Under Brazilian law, Twitter blocks certain types of illegal and sensitive content.
| Brazilian Laws | Twitter’s Compliance |
|---|---|
| Prohibitions on nudity, pornography | Withholds mature content per local laws |
| Court orders on defamation, privacy violations | Enforces takedowns of content deemed illegal |
| Election regulations | Requires advertisers to get electoral authority’s pre-approval |
- Twitter responds to legal requests from Brazilian authorities under local laws.
- Copyright holders can submit takedown notices under Brazil’s copyright law.
Latest update: Brazil passed a ‘fake news’ law in 2020 ahead of municipal elections, which Twitter appealed as unconstitutional. Brazil’s top court upheld the law.
Canada Policies and Regulations
While Canada has strong free speech protections, Twitter still filters certain dangerous and unlawful content.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Hate speech | Reported to authorities and reviewed for takedown |
| Terrorist content | Blocked and reported to law enforcement |
| Private information leaks | Removed on request under privacy laws |
| Election ads | Subject to transparency rules on spending, targeting, etc. |
- Law enforcement requests are evaluated for legal validity and proportionality.
- Copyright infringements are dealt with under notice-and-takedown.
Latest update: Bill C-11 passed in 2022 updates Canada’s copyright law for the digital age. Expect faster copyright complaint procedures.
Australia Policies and Regulations
Under Australian law, Twitter blocks certain types of dangerous and unlawful content.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Violent threats | Removed and referred to authorities |
| Revenge porn | Taken down under non-consensual intimate media laws |
| Defamation | Restrictions on misinformation, and transparency rules apply |
| Electoral ads | Restrictions on misinformation, transparency rules apply |
- Australian legal requests are handled under local laws. User info shared with law enforcement.
- Copyright complaints resolved as per Australia’s copyright legislation.
Latest update: The Social Media (Anti-Trolling) Act passed in 2021 makes social networks liable for defamatory user posts unless promptly removed.
Russia Policies and Regulations
Under increasing government pressure, Twitter has had to comply with growing online censorship in Russia.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Criticism of Russia-Ukraine war | Partially blocked in 2022 by slowing down service |
| Content illegal in Russia | Takedowns enforced for drugs, suicide promotion, threats to officials, etc. |
| Government dissidents | Opposition accounts locked down during protests |
- Failure to comply with content takedowns can lead to fines and advertising bans.
- User info provided to Russian law enforcement under local laws.
- Copyright holders can submit removal requests under Russian procedures.
Latest update: A 2021 law forced social media companies with over 500,000 Russian users to open local offices or face restrictions and bans.
Turkey Policies and Regulations
Under Turkey’s restrictive internet laws, Twitter has to comply with government takedown orders and blocks on dissidents.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Anti-government dissent | Blocked ahead of protests, critical accounts deleted |
| Insults to Ataturk, Turkish flag | Content removed under local laws |
| Court-ordered blocks enforced during campaigns | Court ordered blocks enforced during campaigns |
- Twitter evaluates Turkey’s takedown demands against human rights standards.
- Info provided to law enforcement only if legally required.
- Copyright complaints resolved under Turkish copyright law.
Latest update: Turkey passed a social media law in 2020 forcing platforms like Twitter to appoint local representatives and store Turkish user data locally.
Saudi Arabia Policies and Regulations
Twitter complies with Saudi Arabia’s online censorship laws and blocks dissidents.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Insults to Islam | Blocked within Saudi Arabia |
| Criticism of the government, the royal family | Not allowed, accounts suspended |
| LGBTQ content | Restricted under local laws |
| Calls for protests | Quick takedowns enforced |
- Twitter complies with Saudi content censorship orders to avoid service blocks.
- User info is provided under strict local regulations.
- Saudi copyright law procedures are used for infringement notices.
Latest update: Saudi Arabia intensified social media censorship ahead of anticipated protests over economic policies in 2022.
Japan Policies and Regulations
While Japan has high internet freedom, Twitter still complies with local laws on content takedowns.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Child sex abuse content | Removed and reported to authorities |
| Non-consensual intimate media | Taken down under personal privacy laws |
| Defamation | Court ordered blocks enforced |
- Legal requests by law enforcement evaluated under Japan’s privacy and telecom laws.
- Copyright holders can submit notices under Japanese copyright law.
- Local laws have a limited impact since Twitter usage in Japan is low.
Latest update: A new Japanese law in 2021 tightened regulations on technology companies to combat cyberbullying and revenge porn.
South Korea Policies and Regulations
South Korean laws impose restrictions on harmful, sensitive, or illegal content.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| North Korea sympathizers | Accounts blocked |
| Public figure satire | Content removed |
| Electoral misinformation | Complies with election rules |
- Official agencies and politicians verified under Twitter Korea for authenticity.
- Cooperates with legal requests from South Korean police and authorities.
- Copyright complaints resolved under local notice-and-takedown policies.
Latest update: Stricter social media regulations introduced in 2021 increased penalties for large platforms not complying with takedown orders.
Kenya Policies and Regulations
Though Kenya has fewer restrictions, Twitter still complies with court orders and blocks threats, abuse, terrorism, and violence.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Hate speech | Removed based on legislative definitions |
| Terrorist content | Blocked and reported to authorities |
| Dangerous challenges/behavior | Taken down to prevent harm |
- Complies with orders from the Communications Authority during elections.
- User info provided under Kenyan privacy and criminal laws.
- Copyright complaints resolved as per local procedures.
Latest update: Kenya’s new Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2021 increases obligations on social media firms to report illegal content or face fines.
United Arab Emirates Policies and Regulations
Twitter complies with the UAE’s strict social media laws and aggressively blocks government critics.
| Type of Content | Twitter’s Policy |
|---|---|
| Anti-government criticism | Immediately blocked and accounts deleted |
| Activists and dissidents | Proactively taken down under censorship pressure |
| Insults to leaders | Quick takedowns enforced |
- Heavily censors content on government orders to avoid access blocks.
- User info readily provided under UAE’s cybercrime laws.
- Copyright complaints resolved under local procedures.
Latest update: Under 2021
