Twitter bans ‘misleading’ climate change ads; tests ‘CC’ button for video captions
After rolling out the feature to add image descriptions, also called alternative text, Twitter is now testing the option to turn captions off or on with a new “CC” button.
The latest feature will be available to some iOS users and will also come soon to Android, the social media giant said on Friday (April 22).
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“Video captions or no captions, it’s now easier to choose for some of you on iOS, and soon on Android. On videos that have captions available, we’re testing the option to turn captions off/on with a new “CC” button,” the company said in a tweet.
Video captions or no captions, it’s now easier to choose for some of you on iOS, and soon on Android.
On videos that have captions available, we’re testing the option to turn captions off/on with a new “CC” button. pic.twitter.com/Q2Q2Wmr78U
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) April 22, 2022
Earlier this month, Twitter had added the ‘ALT’ badge for images. “Describing what’s in your images benefits people who are blind, have low vision, use assistive technology, live in low-bandwidth areas, or want more context. Without descriptions, your readers won’t know what your images contain, or why they’re important. This missing information prevents people from engaging with your Tweet,” it had said on April 8.
As promised, the ALT badge and exposed image descriptions go global today.
Over the past month, we fixed bugs and gathered feedback from the limited release group. We’re ready. You’re ready. Let’s describe our images! Here’s how: https://t.co/bkJmhRpZPg https://t.co/ep1ireBJGt
— Twitter Accessibility (@TwitterA11y) April 7, 2022
The company had also said that it is testing “Unmentioning” feature. “How do you say “Don’t @ me,” without saying “Don’t @ me”? We’re experimenting with Unmentioning — a way to help you protect your peace and remove yourself from conversations — available on Web for some of you now.”
How do you say “Don’t @ me,” without saying “Don’t @ me”?
We’re experimenting with Unmentioning—a way to help you protect your peace and remove yourself from conversations—available on Web for some of you now. pic.twitter.com/rlo6lqp34H
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) April 7, 2022
In December last year, Twitter had introduced automatic video captions.
“Where are video captions when you need them? They’re here now automatically on videos uploaded starting today. Android & iOS: auto-captions will show on muted Tweet videos; keep them on when unmuted via your device’s accessibility settings. Web: use the “CC” button to turn on/off,” Twitter had said on December 15, 2021.
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Meanwhile, Twitter said it is banning “misleading” advertisements that “contradict” scientific consensus on climate change.
“…misleading advertisements on Twitter that contradict the scientific consensus on climate change are prohibited, in line with our inappropriate content policy,” it said in a blog post on Earth Day.
“We believe that climate denialism shouldn’t be monetized on Twitter, and that misrepresentative ads shouldn’t detract from important conversations about the climate crisis. This approach is informed by authoritative sources, like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Reports.
“We recognize that misleading information about climate change can undermine efforts to protect the planet. In the coming months, we’ll have more to share on our work to add reliable, authoritative context to the climate conversations happening on Twitter,” it added.
