Thread by @PeopleofNZ

If you type my name into the search bar (Cleo Constantine) my account won't be suggested to you. You have to type in my exact @ in order to find my account and that is because I am #Shadowbanned

Shadowbanning is something that sex workers are overwhelmingly affected by.

Shadowbanning essentially makes my account very difficult to find unless I am directly linked or if someone retweets me. It means my content barely comes up (if at all) on peoples feeds even when they follow me.

Twitter is one of the last social media platforms that doesn't outright ban sex workers. @facebook will ban you, @instagram is notorious for deleting and shadowbanning sex workers. @Snapchat remains fairly friendly to sex workers but this may change.

Twitter has been a huge part of my business. It's been a way for me to show a glimpse of my personality to potential clients and it's connected me to other workers and all sorts of resources. Most people are unaware of how important twitter is to sex workers.

I absolutely consider this censorship. Even if we are to find ways to use the platform so that we evade a shadowban it still means we're forced to self-censor.

Here's a list of words that potentially will get your account shadowbanned. (List taken from tweet by @OliviaLeon_ )

Now, imagine you are a business person running a twitter account. Imagine how it would affect your business if you were unable to use industry specific words, imagine you are not able to use hashtags for people to find you. Hell, people can't even search for you with your name!

I used to really enjoy engaging on twitter before my shadowban. I felt like I was able to connect with people outside of my industry. It felt gratifying to be like oh hey! Yep, I'm just a regular person. Now, I feel I'm a bit... trapped in purgatory.

Something to bear in mind, even though sex work is decriminalised in this country global political decisions affect sex workers everywhere. My twitter account is shadowbanned regardless of where I work.

Last April the advertising platform, backpage was seized by the FBI and shut down. This was the second most popular directory in New Zealand. My income has still not recovered.