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X will now tell users when governments have forced it to limit their posts
X announced a feature to inform users when their posts are shadowbanned due to government requests, enhancing its transparency tool 'Under the Hood.' This update allows users to see post visibility changes and specific downranking information, responding to previous criticisms about hidden moderation practices.
Key points
- X introduces a feature notifying users of shadowbanning due to compliance with government laws.
- This feature expands on the existing 'Under the Hood' transparency tool previously launched in August.
- Users can see specific posts affected by content filtering and the associated legal demands.
- Critics argue that some government requests suppress political dissent under the guise of regulation.
- X's previous transparency efforts include open-sourcing its 'For You' algorithm and detailed codebase, allowing better insight into post ranking.
Why it matters
- The move aligns with a growing demand for transparency from tech companies regarding government influence.
- Similar issues of content moderation and government intervention are prevalent across social media platforms.
- By 2025, IT trends are expected to focus on increasing user control over personal data and enhancing transparency in AI algorithms.
With this update, X aims to address user concerns over transparency in moderation, reinforcing its commitment to openness while navigating the complexities of governmental regulations.