Twitter bug sees users BANNED if they tweet ‘Memphis’ after the word is mistakenly flagged by the app’s automated systems
- Embarrassing glitch suspended the account of any user who tweeted the word
- Users got a message that they violated rules against posting private information
- Error was referenced by Olympique Lyonnais and NBA side Memphis Grizzlies
In one of the weirder social media glitches, Twitter users have been having their account suspended after simply tweeting the word ‘Memphis’.
Anyone who tweeted the name of the US city on Sunday received a message telling them they ‘violated Twitter’s rules against posting private information’.
Offending users could still browse Twitter, but couldn’t post tweets, like or retweet other tweets, or follow other users for 12 hours.
The social media giant has since apologised for the embarrassing glitch, blaming it on its automated detection systems.
Twitter users could still browse Twitter, but couldn’t post tweets, like or retweet other tweets, or follow other users for 12 hours
In a statement to MailOnline, a Twitter spokesperson said: ‘There was a system issue impacting accounts that tweeted the word “Memphis”.
‘The issue mistakenly requested that account owners delete those tweets and temporarily limited their account features.
‘The affected accounts are now reinstated and this issue has been resolved.’
Twitter, which confirmed the problem late last night, wouldn’t specify why the word ‘Memphis’ in particular triggered the error.
Twitter users have been posting screenshots of the error message, which read: ‘We’ve temporarily limited some of your account features.
‘You may not publish or post other people’s private information without their express authorisation and permission.’
French football club Olympique Lyonnais teased Twitter about the bug by tweeting a photo of its midfielder Memphis Depay.
The club’s official Twitter account said: ‘Hey, @Twitter – can we talk about him yet?’
US basketball team Memphis Grizzlies also referenced the problem on its Twitter account during its loss to Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, by deliberately avoiding use of the word.
US basketball team Memphis Grizzlies tweeted its coverage of the match against Oklahoma City Thunder without using the word to be on the safe side
French football club Olympique Lyonnais posted a photo of its midfielder Memphis Depay
Twitter’s botched automated detection system reportedly only detected the word in the body of tweets, meaning usernames were unaffected.
The official Twitter Support account said just after 11pm UK time on Sunday night that the issue had been fixed.
‘A number of accounts that Tweeted the word ‘Memphis’ were temporarily limited due to a bug,’ it said.
Twitter, which confirmed the problem late last night, wouldn’t specify why the word ‘Memphis’ in particular triggered the error
‘It’s been fixed and the accounts have now been restored. We’re sorry this happened.’
One Twitter user replied suggesting the inadvertent error should become a regular feature just for fun.
They said: ‘Please choose a random banned word for each day. It would be hilarious.’