Twitter vows harder stance on threats and abuse by users

Twitter has revised its rules of conduct to stress that it forbids violent threats and abusive behaviour by users, promising a tough stance as critics call for the online service to take a harder line against extremists.

While the new policy does not substantively change what is allowed, it may help Twitter answer criticism from politicians and others who say militant extremists are using the service and other social networks to recruit members and promote their violent agendas.

One advocate, however, said the real test would be how Twitter enforced the rules.