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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Partner Brian D. Wassom discussed Elon Musk’s $44B acquisition of Twitter and its implications for the social media platform and for free speech on a WOOD TV interview today.

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In the ranging ten-minute interview, Wassom suggested he has cautious optimism for the deal, citing Musk’s pledge to reduce the number of automated Twitter “bots” as beneficial. Wassom said: “Automated Twitter accounts are posting information according to a computer program. They are not real people, but are posing as real people, seeking to influence public perception. Fake accounts spreading propaganda are a threat to the health of society. What walks hand-in-hand with that is [Musk’s plan] to authenticate real users, taking steps to ensure users’ identity to the extent possible, creating genuine conversation which is good for a democratic society.”

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Wassom concluded with a reminder that “social media is not an end-all be-all of conversation. Real people interacting in face-to-face conversation and getting opposing points of view – not just relying on our favorite Twitter stream – is the best way to really inform ourselves.”

To watch the full WOOD TV interview, click&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.woodtv.com/video/what-does-musks-twitter-buy-mean-for-free-speech/7634593/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a></strong>.

Wassom is a futurist at heart who tracks legal issues arising from a wide range of cutting-edge technologies. He is chair of Warner’s Emerging Media and Technology Group and has developed a particular focus on matters of creative expression, First Amendment rights, commercial identity and privacy, which spans the legal doctrines of copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, advertising, journalism and related fields.

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By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd builds a better partnership with its clients. Warner is a corporate law firm with 230 attorneys practicing in nine offices throughout Michigan: Grand Rapids, Detroit, Midland, Macomb County, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Lansing, Holland and Bloomfield Hills. To learn more, visit <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.wnj.com/" target="_blank">www.wnj.com</a></strong>, follow us on Twitter @WNJLLP or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

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Emerging Media and Technologies

Privacy, Defamation, Media and First Amendment Litigation

Brian Wassom Discusses Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition with WOOD TV

The Warner Norcross + Judd LLP lawyer responsible for the contents of our advertising and this website is managing partner <a href="/people/mark-j-wassink/" aria-label="Mark Wassink">Mark Wassink</a> who can be reached at <a href="mailto:mwassink@wnj.com" aria-label="email Mark Wassink">mwassink@wnj.com</a> or 616.752.2189. Please read our full <a href="/privacy-policy/" aria-label="see privacy policy">privacy policy</a> available on our website.