The wake up call Twitter needs?
With it emerging that both Disney and Salesforce pulled out of an acquisition because of trolls, online bullying and corporate image is Twitter finally going to get the message about its abuse problem?
One of the biggest criticisms is that the company doesn't do enough to proactively combat abuse on the network, instead just reacting to high profile incidents like those involving Leslie Jones and Milo Yiannopoulos to demonstrate that it taking action.
When reporting abuse against someone else users have had their complaints dismissed because they concern a third party. More still reveal that blatantly abusive behaviour is deemed not to contravene Twitter's idea of acceptable use.
No wonder people become disillusioned and close their accounts.
It is one thing to advocate free speech but another entirely not to act when the ideal of free speech is flouted.
Too late?
For some it will already be too late, the horse has bolted and any action taken by Twitter may now appear a cynical response to something hurting the bottom line.
But this doesn't mean the network shouldn't act.
If no deal is on the table then Twitter has to be its own saviour; direction and discovery are only part of the solution.
A change in strategy to become "the people's news network" may attract extra users but only by creating a fair and safe environment will they be encouraged to sign up and stick around.
It is a shame that only something of this nature may cause Twitter to rethink its approach but past inaction does not have to remain the template for the future.
