X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, suspended journalist Ken Klippenstein’s account for posting unredacted private personal information, specifically the physical address and part of the Social Security number of Senator J.D. Vance. This action was taken under X’s safety guidelines, which prohibit the sharing of sensitive personal details.
Klippenstein had published a dossier containing this information on his Substack and social media platforms, despite many other news outlets opting not to disclose it due to the risks associated with revealing such private data.
Klippenstein’s decision to publish the dossier was based on his belief that it was newsworthy, especially given its implications in the context of the upcoming elections. The dossier, leaked by hackers, had previously drawn the attention of multiple media outlets, but many refrained from sharing it due to the personal details it contained.
In contrast, Klippenstein argued that the public interest outweighed the potential harm of sharing the information, particularly given the political climate and the accusations of foreign interference in U.S. elections.
X Suspends Journalist Ken Klippenstein for Sharing Senator J.D. Vance’s Private Information
Engadget reviewed the dossier and confirmed that the personal information cited by X’s safety team was indeed present in Klippenstein’s copy, with the exception of the last four digits of Vance’s Social Security number.
Klippenstein defended his actions by stating that he was compelled to provide the information to the public, particularly as it related to a significant political figure amid heightened concerns about foreign hacking. He expressed disappointment in other media outlets for choosing not to publish the dossier, suggesting that their hesitation stemmed from a fear of governmental backlash against perceived foreign influence.
In addition to suspending Klippenstein’s account, X implemented measures to prevent the sharing of the link to the dossier. Users attempting to post it were met with warnings indicating that the content had been flagged as potentially harmful.
This action aligns with X’s updated policies on hacked materials, which allow for discussions surrounding such content but prohibit the sharing of links to the materials if they come directly from hackers or their affiliates.
Furthermore, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, indicated it would also block the sharing of Klippenstein’s newsletter that included Vance’s personal information, citing violations of its policies against hacked materials and foreign interference.
This situation highlights ongoing debates about press freedom, the ethical implications of sharing sensitive information, and the roles of social media platforms in regulating such content amid political tensions.
