The company announced on Friday that Twitter users will be able to appeal account suspensions starting February 1, under the social media platform's new criteria for reinstatement. The new standards come on the heels of billionaire Elon Musk's purchase of the company in October.

Twitter accounts will now only be suspended for serious or persistent and repeated violations of the platform's policies. Serious violations of the policy include engaging in illegal content or activity, inciting or threatening violence or harm, and engaging in targeted harassment of other users, among others.

Twitter has announced that it will take less drastic measures than suspending an account, such as limiting the reach of tweets that violate its policies or requiring users to delete tweets before continuing to use the account. The decision comes weeks after Musk faced criticism for suspending the accounts of several journalists over the controversy over the publication of public statements about the billionaire's plane. He later reinstated the accounts.

Twitter claims that the new standards for account suspension and recovery are intended to provide a more transparent and fair process for users.

Elon Musk's dedication to free speech

Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter at the end of October changed many aspects of Twitter. The billionaire has often described himself as a champion of free speech, objecting to the blocking and following of Twitter users. He also ended up reinstating many controversial accounts on the platform, including former US President Donald Trump and famous singer Kanye West (Ye). He later bans Ye for inciting violence.

If Twitter's new policies were in place, Ye would have escaped an outright ban. However, it's unclear where Elon Musk will draw the line when it comes to violations.

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