Twitter blocks Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas account over abusive behaviour
- The Banco Azteca SA bank owner had made comments on Twitter about a journalist’s appearance that the tech giant said had violated its rules
- Salinas said he would use his other social media accounts including Telegram and Facebook until he resolves the ‘issue’ with Twitter
The social media company did not detail why Salinas had been blocked, but said on its help centre that an account “may not engage in harassing situations directed at one person or incite others to do so.
“We consider abusive behaviour any attempt to harass, intimidate, or silence another person’s voice,” it added.
Last week, Salinas, the owner of Banco Azteca SA bank engaged in a dispute with Mexican journalist Denise Dresser, making comments on Twitter about her appearance that the social media company said had violated its rules.
There are groups of people “who got organised and denounced my last publication as if it were selective harassment,” Salinas said on Instagram.
“I’ll be on Facebook, on Instagram and TikTok reading you and chatting with you while I resolve the issue on Twitter. I’ll be back.”
Recent tweets by Salinas that called for a meme contest mocking a handful of Mexican media personalities have been deleted.
The billionaire and his family rank 153 in the Forbes billionaires list, with an estimated net worth of US$13.5 billion. Salinas is also chairman of TV Azteca, which is Mexico’s second-largest television network. He recently recovered from his second bout of Covid-19.
Earlier this month, Salinas said he was considering the purchase of Citigroup consumer banking business in Mexico, known as Citibanamex.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
