Summary
Elon Musk confirmed that X (formerly Twitter) deprioritizes posts containing links, encouraging users to post links in replies instead.
This practice, aimed at keeping users on the platform, has drawn criticism for restricting access to external information and harming media outlets’ traffic.
Past reports revealed X also delayed links to rival platforms and news outlets, prompting concerns about press freedom and revenue impacts.
The Guardian recently left X, labeling it “toxic,” while other media and free speech advocates accuse the platform of enabling disinformation and controlling narratives.
When Facebook and IG switched to their algorithm instead of showing newest first I made this case and nobody would listen to me.
They’re having their cake and eating it too (and trafficking everyone’s data unregulated). Just like when EU members using a US VPN get violations of the GDPR.
Aside: I went to a site today and had my VPN set to an EU country and when I picked “reject advertising cookies” it said this page isn’t available in areas governed by the GDPR or whatever that law is. They’re censoring themselves from places that don’t let them steal data.