X owner Elon Musk said his social media platform will begin “algorithm tweaks” to curb the rampant negativity on the site.
Musk made himself a “free speech absolutist” when he bought the site formerly known as Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, but a new algorithm means more information said that entertainment content will be pushed.
“Our goal is to maximize user seconds with no regrets,” Musk wrote. Post to X on friday. “There are too many negative opinions, which technically increases user time, but it's not user time you won't regret.”
He added that X is also working on ways users can adjust their content feeds to be more personalized.
A representative for X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Some X users accused Musk of hypocrisy after he has advocated for unrestricted free speech on the social media platform, saying which posts are “negative” He questioned whether he would make such a judgment.
Ed Klassenstein, a Florida-based artificial intelligence expert who has more than 1 million followers on “But this is definitely interesting timing given the fact that under the Trump administration there has been a shift towards punishing negativity.” said in the post.
Other users expressed concern that topics in news articles can often be considered “negative” and that important posts could be silenced by the new algorithm.
Musk, who has become a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has reinstated the accounts of several controversial figures on free speech grounds.
He ended a nearly two-year ban on Trump's account (which had been suspended after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot) after polling social media users about whether the former president should be allowed back on the platform. Withdrawn.
More than 15 million people voted in the Twitter poll, with 51.8% of the votes supporting Trump's return.
“The people have spoken. Trump will be back. Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” Musk said in a 2022 post. This Latin phrase means “the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Musk, the world's richest man with a net worth of $423.9 billion according to Forbes, has been criticized for taking “free speech” too far, and Mr. X is suffering the consequences.
After Musk endorsed anti-Semitic posts, major brands withdrew from the platform and ended lucrative advertising in 2023.
The I've come to the disturbing realization that the sectarian hordes don't like them at all either.” many. “
Mr. Musk replied: “You told the truth.”
IBM, Apple, and Disney quickly halted spending after some of their ads began appearing next to anti-Semitic posts on their platforms.
At the time, X faced a potential loss of $75 million in advertising revenue. According to the New York Times.
In November 2023, Musk fired back at companies. “If someone tries to blackmail me with an ad, if someone tries to blackmail me with money, go away yourself,” Musk said.
He added, “Including Bob,” an apparent reference to Disney boss Bob Iger, who was in the audience.
Disney and other entertainment giants reportedly resumed ad spending on the platform last year.
