Reddit Temporarily Bans r/WhitePeopleTwitter Following Elon Musk's Doxing Allegations

Reddit has temporarily banned the popular subreddit r/WhitePeopleTwitter for 72 hours, citing violations of its content policies, including the prevalence of violent content and doxing. The suspension follows accusations from X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk, who claimed users on the subreddit had identified and discussed his "DOGE employees," leading to what he described as illegal activities.

The incident was brought to light by the X account "Reddit Lies," which posted screenshots of discussions on r/WhitePeopleTwitter where users allegedly revealed the identities of staff members from Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Following this, Musk publicly stated on X, "They have broken the law," prompting Reddit's swift action. The subreddit's page now displays a message confirming the temporary ban due to "inciting and glorifying violence, or doxing."

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is described as a team operating within the Trump administration, despite not being an official government department. Its mandate is to streamline government spending and reduce bureaucracy. Reports indicate that this team, comprised of individuals including some of Musk's allies, has controversially gained access to the federal payments system, which manages trillions of dollars in government funds annually.

The sharing of DOGE employees' identities on Reddit sparked significant backlash and concerns over privacy and security. A prosecutor appointed by the Trump administration, Edward Martin, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, issued a stern warning, stating, "Our initial review of the evidence presented to us indicates that certain individuals and/or groups have committed acts that appear to violate the law in targeting Doge employees." Martin emphasized that legal action would be pursued against those who impede the work or threaten the staff.

Reddit's decision has reignited debates surrounding content moderation, free speech, and the influence of prominent figures like Elon Musk on platform policies. While Reddit maintains its commitment to prohibiting doxing and incitement to violence, the temporary ban of such a large community has drawn considerable attention to the enforcement of these rules, particularly when high-profile individuals are involved. The subreddit is expected to reopen after the 72-hour cool-down period, during which Reddit stated it would support moderators in maintaining a healthy discussion environment.