A Twitter account called YUSUperinjunction that offered to “report the stories student media can’t” was deleted by Twitter just a day after its inception on Wednesday. It shared just two secrets in this time.
The issue of media disclosure has its roots in the welfare and legal responsibilities of YUSU, as upheld in the York University Media Charter and YUSU Constitution. They prevent the Union publishing potentially harmful or sensitive information through YUM societies.
The creator of YUSUperinjunction is unknown to both Vision and YUSU, although YUSU President, Tim Ngwena, noted that he has his suspicions: “it’s definitely a member of the alumni,” he said, “and I think they might be ex-Vision.”
The account was deleted by Twitter following a complaint from Ngwena based on “brand impersonation and trademark abuse”. Ngwena told Vision: “My complaint was simply based on the use of ‘YUSU’ as prefix to the account name and my concern that it would confuse those not directly involved with the topics the account was discussing that the information was coming from YUSU.”
He continued: “We have seven other Twitter accounts with the YUSU prefix that are actively used and this was a move by me to protect the usage of those accounts and ensure that there would be no confusion.”
Ngwena explained that his intention was never to have the account removed, however, remarking, “Twitter clearly agreed with my complaint and have consequently chosen to remove the account.”
YUSUperinjunction’s first tweet reported a “stabbing” outside Reflex “involving a York University student.” The second tweet read that an “unnamed college purchased equip[ment] for £1 [a] few years ago in [a] backhand deal.”
York Sport President Sam Asfahani was quick to mock the tweeter, replying “yeh this was me, wasnt bankhanded [sic], or illegal, and we then shared all equipment with other colleges. i take that as a win.” Ngwena then commented “love @samasfahani response to @YUSUperinjunct lol … such old news… so far all scandal from a week to a year ago… #noonecares”.
now @YUSUperinjunc