A former Twitter lawyer is testing a new mode of content moderation — and if he can get away with calling it Twitter (www.businessinsider.com)

Former Twitter trademark lawyer Stephen Coates has launched a new social network called Twitter.now, which is currently in early testing. The platform introduces a unique approach to content moderation, allowing users to determine how much potentially false or harmful content appears in their feeds, tackling a significant challenge in online discourse. Coates emphasizes "freedom of speech and not freedom of reach," proposing that while users can express themselves lawfully, their content won't necessarily achieve wide visibility unless it meets their chosen trust score criteria set by the platform's VERA AI system. This feature aims to empower users to filter harmful or untruthful content without outright banning the source. Twitter.now enters a competitive landscape marked by controversies around moderation practices, particularly in light of recent changes to Twitter (renamed X) under Elon Musk. With only a few hundred users at present, the platform faces legal hurdles as X has sued Operation Bluebird for trademark infringement, contending that Coates' use of "Twitter" and related trademarks violates their rights. The outcome of this legal battle could be pivotal, as ongoing uncertainty over trademark ownership might hinder broader adoption of Twitter.now, despite its innovative moderation strategy. Coates describes the venture as a "grand experiment," highlighting an attempt to create a more user-oriented social media experience amidst ongoing debates about content governance.