FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Authorโs Verified X Account Blocked for Over 180 Days Due to Bug โ No Human Response from Platform
April 10, 2025 โ United Kingdom โ Author and conservationist Martin Newbold, known for his published works including The Stealing of Emily and The Badgers of Bunger Hill, has been locked out of his verified X (formerly Twitter) account for over six months, after the platform incorrectly flagged all his activity as โautomated.โ
Despite repeated support requests and a detailed technical report filed via HackerOne in October 2024 (#3065988), the platform has failed to respond or restore access. Newboldโs follower count has also been mysteriously erased.
โThis is not just a glitchโitโs a denial of voice,โ said Newbold. โPlatforms like X canโt claim to champion free speech while allowing AI bugs to silence real people for months, without appeal.โ
The error appears to stem from an overzealous anti-spam algorithm or CORS-related technical fault, a problem reportedly affecting other users as well.
Newbold has now filed a formal complaint to Ofcom, citing Xโs systemic failure to provide redress, as required under the UKโs Online Safety regime.


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