Twitter responds to criticism over blocking Rose McGowan

Twitter’s safety team responded to criticism Thursday after it temporarily banned actress Rose McGowan, who had been using the social media platform to discuss sexual harassment allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

McGowan, one of many women who has come forward with assault allegations against Weinstein, was temporarily banned from the website on Wednesday.

“Twitter has suspended me,” McGowan wrote on Instagram. “There are powerful forces at work. Be my voice.”

In several tweets posted Thursday morning, the website explained that McGowan’s account was temporarily banned from the website after she shared a private phone number in a tweet.

{mosads}”We have been in touch with Ms. McGowan’s team. We want to explain that her account was temporarily locked because one of her Tweets included a private phone number, which violates our Terms of Service,” Twitter wrote.

“The Tweet was removed and her account has been unlocked. We will be clearer about these policies and decisions in the future,” the social media company said.

“Twitter is proud to empower and support the voices on our platform, especially those that speak truth to power,” the statement continues. “We stand with the brave women and men who use Twitter to share their stories, and will work hard every day to improve our processes to protect those voices.”

Twitter was sharply criticized for banning McGowan’s account, with many users suggesting she was being censored for speaking out about Weinstein and others in recent days.

“Hey @Twitter let us know which of these rules @rosemcgowan broke. Asking for multiple victims of sexual violence,” fellow actress Jessica Chastain wrote.

Hey @Twitter let us know which of these rules @rosemcgowan broke. Asking for multiple victims of sexual violence. https://t.co/eiZjQeMAVg

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 12, 2017

People wonder why it’s so hard for women to come forward with their stories and then #RoseMcGowan gets suspended from @Twitter #ROSEARMY

— Julia Elizabeth (@julaelizabeth) October 12, 2017

#ROSEARMY Please retweet and share. Powerful voices are trying to silence #RoseMcGowan‘s voice for speaking out against abuse in Hollywood. https://t.co/ey5r73qIe0

— Angela Gunn (@angelacgunn) October 12, 2017

Film mogul Harvey Weinstein has denied the accusations of rape against him, and has pledged to seek therapy. He was fired from The Weinstein Company, the film company he founded, on Monday over the allegations.