Social media platform X has announced a new update to provide users with more information on why their posts may not be reaching as many people. The update, which is part of X's transparency efforts, will allow users to see if their posts or accounts have been limited in visibility due to compliance with local laws. This move aims to address concerns about "shadow banning," where users' posts are not visible to others without their knowledge.
The new feature is an expansion of X's "Under the Hood" tool, which provides users with detailed information on how the platform handles their accounts and posts. With this update, users will be able to see if their posts were withheld in a specific country following a legal demand, and which country made the request. This information will be available to users who have posted at least 10 times in the previous month and have had their account for at least a year.
The update is designed to provide more transparency and clarity on content filtering, which has been a contentious issue on social media platforms. X's move is seen as a step towards giving users more control and understanding of how their content is being handled. The platform has also made parts of its algorithm and code available to the public, providing more insight into how posts are ordered and filtered.
The "Under the Hood" tool will provide users with a range of information, including the number of posts that were limited in visibility, the country that requested the limitation, and the specific laws that were cited. This information will help users understand why their posts may not be reaching as many people, and provide more context on the decisions made by the platform.
Governments around the world have different reasons for requesting that social media platforms limit certain content, including laws related to hate speech, terrorism, and election regulations. X's update will provide users with more information on these requests, including which country made the request and the specific laws that were cited.
The update is part of X's efforts to increase transparency and trust with its users. The platform has also made efforts to provide more information on its algorithms and content moderation policies, including releasing parts of its code and providing more detail on its "For You" algorithm. These moves are seen as a way to build trust with users and provide more control over their content.
The new feature will be available to all eligible accounts, and users can access their report through the "Under the Hood" tool. X's move is seen as a positive step towards transparency and accountability on social media platforms.
Key points
- X introduces update to provide more transparency on content filtering
- The update will allow users to see if their posts or accounts have been limited in visibility due to compliance with local laws
- The move aims to address concerns about "shadow banning" on the platform
