Media
Too young to tweet? Twitter shut down CRA’s account over its ‘birth date,’ records show
Misery might love company, but bureaucracy doesn’t seem to relish bureaucracy.
The social media team at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — the second-biggest government agency or department in the country after the military — found out firsthand what it can be like to jump through red tape when its Twitter and Facebook accounts were temporarily blocked several times in recent years for various reasons, including a decision by Twitter that the CRA was underage.
Civil servants had to navigate the social media juggernauts’ client-service maze, which included requests for copies of personal ID or phone bills, in order to restore account access.
The CRA’s English-language account on Twitter (now formally called X) has 260,000 followers and tweets on average eight to nine times a day; on Facebook, the agency has 136,000 followers for its English-language page. CRA uses both accounts to send out such information as tax deadlines, instructions on how to claim credits and warnings about the latest scams.
The suspensions of those accounts are captured in email exchanges from March 2018 to July 2022, made public through a request under the Access to Information Act.
“Urgent: CRA account gone!” reads the subject line of a July 4, 2022, email from CRA social media manager Crystallina Chiu to someone at Twitter, whose name is blanked out in the records released by the agency.
The email said that CRA staff couldn’t read some tweets directed at the agency in recent days because Twitter’s algorithms determined the user on their account “wasn’t old enough.”
“So, we changed our date of birth to November 1st, 1999, and now our account has been deleted?” Chiu wrote.
Twitter wanted CRA’s proof of age
A number of emails went back and forth about problems filing a help ticket, before Twitter asked the CRA’s social media team to have someone submit proof of age in the form of their government ID or health card.
“I’m not super comfortable with sharing my/my team members’ IDs for a work-related account,” Chiu wrote back, about 2.5 hours after the CRA lodged its “urgent” help request.
In a subsequent email, Chiu asked if the date of birth could be removed. “We were trying to be cheeky and give our date of birth as the Canada Revenue’s anniversary date.” (The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, later renamed the Canada Revenue Agency, was created on Nov. 1, 1999).
The Twitter staffer who replied said they had “no idea.”
Eventually, Chiu agreed to submit a copy of a driver’s licence to restore access.
The next morning, the CRA regained access to its Twitter account. But its social media team quickly noticed a new problem: Because the newly approved “birth” date on the account was in November 1999, almost all of the hundreds of tweets from 2010, 2011 and early 2012 were missing because of Twitter’s age requirement that all users be at least 13 years old.
Chiu once again emailed Twitter: “We’re not ACTUALLY only 22. We’re a government organization. Are we able to reinstate that first year’s tweets from 2010-2012 until Twitter thinks we turned 13? Is there a way to mark this as an organization account rather than a person?”
Someone from the social media company replied, “Just give it 48 hours for the account to settle down before looking for those older tweets.”
The tweets never did reappear.
‘Every social media strategist’s nightmare’
The email exchanges between the CRA and Twitter were initially obtained in November by an unknown requester under the federal Access to Information Act.
The emails are included in a new database of tens of thousands of previously released federal government documents made public on Tuesday by the Investigative Journalism Foundation, a Canadian non-profit newsroom that has published a series of databases of public-interest records since it launched last year. The IJF gave CBC News early access to its latest effort.
In an emailed response to questions on Monday evening, the CRA acknowledged the Twitter incident, the arbitrary decision to choose a birth date in 1999 and the deletion of its posts that ensued.
“The CRA has not attempted to adjust the date of birth” once again, the statement said. “Given the fact that tax information changes regularly, there is limited business value in reinstating social media content from 2012. As such the CRA did not attempt to do so.”
Messages to Twitter’s press email address seeking comment received the company’s automatic reply, “Busy now, please check back later.”
Katrina German, a technology expert at Ethical Digital, a Saskatoon-based digital marketing agency, said suspension of the CRA’s Twitter account “is every social media strategist’s nightmare,” but ultimately the agency got lucky because someone at Twitter realized they were dealing with a big organization that needed immediate help.
“Small businesses can have one heck of a time connecting with anybody real at Facebook or Twitter,” she said in an interview. “Sometimes their accounts are just removed. I’ve had a lot of cases with clients where it’s crickets — we get no response in return.”
Facebook issues
The emails in the IJF’s database show it wasn’t just Twitter: The CRA was locked out of its Facebook pages several times, too. The first time was in March 2018, when the agency’s social media team was “urgently trying to gather some stats for a media product that came out slamming our FB posts.”
After a few Facebook employees bounced the request for help to other colleagues, it emerged that the CRA lost the ability to post on its own page because its staff had created a fake, nameless profile to manage the page, which goes against Facebook’s policies.
The CRA regained access, but the same problem popped up again in late 2021, when the agency wanted to post some job ads. After a procession of emails with Facebook’s help team and some failed attempts at two-factor authentication via a phone call, Facebook’s algorithm automatically blocked the CRA’s ability to publish and manage ads.
“It is actually against our policy to use fake/inauthentic profiles on our platform and/or to manage pages with them,” someone at Facebook wrote to a CRA senior marketing adviser, warning that the same snafu could happen again because “we are cracking down on the creation and use of inauthentic profiles.”
It took a week for the CRA to regain the ability to publish ads. Its job-recruiting posts were delayed as a result.
The CRA, in its statement on Monday, acknowledged it had created what it called a “content management account” using a generic CRA email to initially set up its Facebook pages, but it denied ever using “an account with a fake name” to then manage those pages.
Luc Lefebvre, an IT security specialist and co-founder of the information security and privacy non-profit Crypto.Québec, said Facebook — unlike Twitter — doesn’t generally allow a company to have a single login to administer its business’s page, and it’s a problem.
“Employees shouldn’t have to log in personally to manage these pages themselves,” he said in an interview in French. Lefebvre said every time a worker with access to the company Facebook page quits, for example, the company has to quickly rejig the permissions so that the ex-employee doesn’t deface the page.
“It’s not the CRA’s fault. They just want to use social media,” he said.
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, says it is going ahead with a plan to remove news content from its platforms in Canada. It signalled the move was coming when the government passed Bill C-18, known as the Online News Act.
Former President Donald Trump is on the brink of a significant financial decision that could have far-reaching implications for both his personal wealth and the future of his fledgling social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). As the lockup period on his shares in TMTG, which owns Truth Social, nears its end, Trump could soon be free to sell his substantial stake in the company. However, the potential payday, which makes up a large portion of his net worth, comes with considerable risks for Trump and his supporters.
Trump’s stake in TMTG comprises nearly 59% of the company, amounting to 114,750,000 shares. As of now, this holding is valued at approximately $2.6 billion. These shares are currently under a lockup agreement, a common feature of initial public offerings (IPOs), designed to prevent company insiders from immediately selling their shares and potentially destabilizing the stock. The lockup, which began after TMTG’s merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is set to expire on September 25, though it could end earlier if certain conditions are met.
Should Trump decide to sell his shares after the lockup expires, the market could respond in unpredictable ways. The sale of a substantial number of shares by a major stakeholder like Trump could flood the market, potentially driving down the stock price. Daniel Bradley, a finance professor at the University of South Florida, suggests that the market might react negatively to such a large sale, particularly if there aren’t enough buyers to absorb the supply. This could lead to a sharp decline in the stock’s value, impacting both Trump’s personal wealth and the company’s market standing.
Moreover, Trump’s involvement in Truth Social has been a key driver of investor interest. The platform, marketed as a free speech alternative to mainstream social media, has attracted a loyal user base largely due to Trump’s presence. If Trump were to sell his stake, it might signal a lack of confidence in the company, potentially shaking investor confidence and further depressing the stock price.
Trump’s decision is also influenced by his ongoing legal battles, which have already cost him over $100 million in legal fees. Selling his shares could provide a significant financial boost, helping him cover these mounting expenses. However, this move could also have political ramifications, especially as he continues his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump Media’s success is closely tied to Trump’s political fortunes. The company’s stock has shown volatility in response to developments in the presidential race, with Trump’s chances of winning having a direct impact on the stock’s value. If Trump sells his stake, it could be interpreted as a lack of confidence in his own political future, potentially undermining both his campaign and the company’s prospects.
Truth Social, the flagship product of TMTG, has faced challenges in generating traffic and advertising revenue, especially compared to established social media giants like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Despite this, the company’s valuation has remained high, fueled by investor speculation on Trump’s political future. If Trump remains in the race and manages to secure the presidency, the value of his shares could increase. Conversely, any missteps on the campaign trail could have the opposite effect, further destabilizing the stock.
As the lockup period comes to an end, Trump faces a critical decision that could shape the future of both his personal finances and Truth Social. Whether he chooses to hold onto his shares or cash out, the outcome will likely have significant consequences for the company, its investors, and Trump’s political aspirations.
Cochise County, AZ — Law enforcement officials in Arizona have apprehended Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Cochise County, after a manhunt was launched following alleged death threats he made against former President Donald Trump. The threats reportedly surfaced in social media posts over the past two weeks, as Trump visited the US-Mexico border in Cochise County on Thursday.
Syvrud, who hails from Benson, Arizona, located about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was captured by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday afternoon. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest, stating, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.”
In addition to the alleged threats against Trump, Syvrud is wanted for multiple offences, including failure to register as a sex offender. He also faces several warrants in both Wisconsin and Arizona, including charges for driving under the influence and a felony hit-and-run.
The timing of the arrest coincided with Trump’s visit to Cochise County, where he toured the US-Mexico border. During his visit, Trump addressed the ongoing border issues and criticized his political rival, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, for what he described as lax immigration policies. When asked by reporters about the ongoing manhunt for Syvrud, Trump responded, “No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys.”
This incident marks the latest in a series of threats against political figures during the current election cycle. Just earlier this month, a 66-year-old Virginia man was arrested on suspicion of making death threats against Vice President Kamala Harris and other public officials.
Media
Trump Media & Technology Group Faces Declining Stock Amid Financial Struggles and Increased Competition
Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock has taken a significant hit, dropping more than 11% this week following a disappointing earnings report and the return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the rival social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This decline is part of a broader downward trend for the parent company of Truth Social, with the stock plummeting nearly 43% since mid-July. Despite the sharp decline, some investors remain unfazed, expressing continued optimism for the company’s financial future or standing by their investment as a show of political support for Trump.
One such investor, Todd Schlanger, an interior designer from West Palm Beach, explained his commitment to the stock, stating, “I’m a Republican, so I supported him. When I found out about the stock, I got involved because I support the company and believe in free speech.” Schlanger, who owns around 1,000 shares, is a regular user of Truth Social and is excited about the company’s future, particularly its plans to expand its streaming services. He believes Truth Social has the potential to be as strong as Facebook or X, despite the stock’s recent struggles.
However, Truth Social’s stock performance is deeply tied to Trump’s political influence and the company’s ability to generate sustainable revenue, which has proven challenging. An earnings report released last Friday showed the company lost over $16 million in the three-month period ending in June. Revenue dropped by 30%, down to approximately $836,000 compared to $1.2 million during the same period last year.
In response to the earnings report, Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes emphasized the company’s strong cash position, highlighting $344 million in cash reserves and no debt. He also reiterated the company’s commitment to free speech, stating, “From the beginning, it was our intention to make Truth Social an impenetrable beachhead of free speech, and by taking extraordinary steps to minimize our reliance on Big Tech, that is exactly what we are doing.”
Despite these assurances, investors reacted negatively to the quarterly report, leading to a steep drop in stock price. The situation was further complicated by Trump’s return to X, where he posted for the first time in a year. Trump’s exclusivity agreement with Trump Media & Technology Group mandates that he posts personal content first on Truth Social. However, he is allowed to make politically related posts on other social media platforms, which he did earlier this week, potentially drawing users away from Truth Social.
For investors like Teri Lynn Roberson, who purchased shares near the company’s peak after it went public in March, the decline in stock value has been disheartening. However, Roberson remains unbothered by the poor performance, saying her investment was more about supporting Trump than making money. “I’m way at a loss, but I am OK with that. I am just watching it for fun,” Roberson said, adding that she sees Trump’s return to X as a positive move that could expand his reach beyond Truth Social’s “echo chamber.”
The stock’s performance holds significant financial implications for Trump himself, as he owns a 65% stake in Trump Media & Technology Group. According to Fortune, this stake represents a substantial portion of his net worth, which could be vulnerable if the company continues to struggle financially.
Analysts have described Truth Social as a “meme stock,” similar to companies like GameStop and AMC that saw their stock prices driven by ideological investments rather than business fundamentals. Tyler Richey, an analyst at Sevens Report Research, noted that the stock has ebbed and flowed based on sentiment toward Trump. He pointed out that the recent decline coincided with the rise of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, which may have dampened perceptions of Trump’s 2024 election prospects.
Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, offered a grim long-term outlook for Truth Social, suggesting that the stock would likely remain volatile, but with an overall downward trend. “What’s lacking for the true believer in the company story is, ‘OK, where is the business strategy that will be generating revenue?'” Ritter said, highlighting the company’s struggle to produce a sustainable business model.
Still, for some investors, like Michael Rogers, a masonry company owner in North Carolina, their support for Trump Media & Technology Group is unwavering. Rogers, who owns over 10,000 shares, said he invested in the company both as a show of support for Trump and because of his belief in the company’s financial future. Despite concerns about the company’s revenue challenges, Rogers expressed confidence in the business, stating, “I’m in it for the long haul.”
Not all investors are as confident. Mitchell Standley, who made a significant return on his investment earlier this year by capitalizing on the hype surrounding Trump Media’s planned merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation, has since moved on. “It was basically just a pump and dump,” Standley told ABC News. “I knew that once they merged, all of his supporters were going to dump a bunch of money into it and buy it up.” Now, Standley is staying away from the company, citing the lack of business fundamentals as the reason for his exit.
Truth Social’s future remains uncertain as it continues to struggle with financial losses and faces stiff competition from established social media platforms. While its user base and investor sentiment are bolstered by Trump’s political following, the company’s long-term viability will depend on its ability to create a sustainable revenue stream and maintain relevance in a crowded digital landscape.
As the company seeks to stabilize, the question remains whether its appeal to Trump’s supporters can translate into financial success or whether it will remain a volatile stock driven more by ideology than business fundamentals.
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