QAnon conspiracy kicked off Twitter as platform bans thousands of accounts

Enlarge / A cluster of Trump supporters, sporting Q-emblazoned T-shirts and the campaign's signature red MAGA hats, waiting in line to get into a rally in Tennessee in 2018. (credit: Sean Rayford | Getty Images)

Twitter is removing thousands of accounts and tweets that support the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory from its platform, citing the movement as "coordinated harmful activity" that leads to harassment and other harms.

"We've been clear that we will take strong enforcement action on behavior that has the potential to lead to offline harm," the company announced in-naturally-a series of tweets. "In line with this approach, this week we are taking further action on so-called 'QAnon' activity across the service."

In addition to suspending more than 7,000 accounts so far-and possibly as many as 150,000 before all is said and done-Twitter says it will no longer include anything associated with QAnon in trends or recommendations, make sure not to highlight it in search, and block certain URLs associated with Q from Twitter.

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