On Tuesday, X (formerly Twitter) briefly deactivated the profile of Yulia Navalnaya, widow of the late Russian political activist Alexei Navalny, who died at 47 in a northern Russian penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence. Navalnaya’s account was reinstated and deemed a glitch of spam defenses, according to the social media platform. Alexei Navalny’s widow, a well-known critic of Putin’s government, accused the Kremlin of poisoning her husband with the nerve agent Novichok and holding his body until all traceable poison dissipates.
X Disappearance of Concern to Followers
Navalnaya’s activism has put her in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, subjecting her to potential legal troubles and personal danger. Freedom watchdog groups were quick to spot the visibility problems of her X account in the days following Alexei’s death.
Directly Implicated Putin in Death the Day Before Deactivation
In a video shared on her social media the day before, Navalnaya pledged to continue her husband’s activism and directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of his murder the previous week.
Call to Public Action Against Unjust Death of Activist Husband
Navalnaya, described as the “first lady” of the opposition to the Putin regime, urged public support against the injustice, expressing a call to action fueled by anger and sorrow over the loss of her husband.
Other Allies of Navalny Not Similarly Restricted on X
The temporary restriction of Navalnaya’s X account happened just after she had opened it, even though her husband’s allies, such as spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, did not experience similar issues.
Accusation of Shadow Ban, Making Profile and Posts Invisible
However, Navalnaya reported on the social media platform Telegram that her profile seemed to be under a “shadow ban,” indicating her profile was invisible in search results, and her posts were not visible in replies.
Temporary Restriction Verified, Leads to Questions
The global news platform Semafor conducted a search, confirming her profile was not directly accessible on X. Recent global crises have already showcased the dangers of the social media platform’s influence on geopolitics under the leadership of Elon Musk.
X Attributes Suspensions to Inadvertent Triggering of Spam Defenses
The problem was eventually rectified, with X attributing the suspension to an inadvertent trigger of its anti-manipulation and spam defenses, which mistakenly flagged the account for breaking its rules.
X Rectifies What They Consider an Accident, Will Address Defense Mechanisms
X acknowledged the mistake, reinstating the account promptly upon realization, and announced plans to refine their defense mechanisms. This is not the first time political activists have felt they were being muzzled by X’s “glitches.”
Biden and Global Leader Denounce Navalny’s Death, Laying Blame on Putin
The global community, including U.S. President Joe Biden, swiftly denounced the dubious circumstances of Navalny’s death, attributing it to Putin’s efforts to eliminate a significant adversary.
Kremlin Denies Involvement in Death
The Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalny’s death. Meanwhile, Russian officials have announced an investigation into the incident, delaying the return of Navalny’s body to his family for a “chemical analysis.”
Wife Believes Kremlin Will Hold Body Until Proof of Poisoning Abates
Navalnaya has claimed that the Kremlin will hold his body until the evidence of the poisoning has dissipated. Russian security services have a long history of being accused of using poison as a weapon against political dissidents.
Public Figure in Russia with International Following
Navalnaya has long been a public and vocal advocate for her late husband and his cause, both in Russia and internationally, attending court hearings, participating in protests, and speaking with international media.
International Advocacy with Public Platform
Following Navalny’s poisoning in August 2020 and subsequent imprisonment in January 2021, Yulia Navalnaya played a critical role in bringing international attention to his case. She has engaged with foreign leaders, diplomats, and the global media to advocate for her husband’s release and to condemn the Russian government’s actions against him.
