Social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, recently faced backlash after it was revealed that they had been delaying access to links to content on various websites, including Reuters, the New York Times, Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram. This delay was discovered in tests conducted by the Washington Post, where clicking on a link from X resulted in a delay of about five seconds before the webpage loaded. While the delay seems to have been removed by late Tuesday afternoon, it still sparked concern and raised questions about X’s actions and motives.
The Test and Confirmation of Delay
The Washington Post reported that during their tests, both X and Reuters experienced a similar delay when accessing links. The delay was eliminated after X was contacted about the issue, but they did not provide any explanation regarding the delay. This lack of transparency further fueled speculation and criticism towards X’s actions.
The Influence of Elon Musk
One of the key figures involved in this controversy is billionaire Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in October. Musk has been known to clash with news organizations and journalists who have reported critically on his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. It is important to note that while this delay occurred after Musk’s ownership of Twitter, there is no concrete evidence linking his actions or motivations to the delay.
Past Restrictions on Link Sharing
In addition to the delay, it is worth mentioning that Twitter has previously restricted users from posting links to competing social media platforms. This limitation on link sharing has raised concerns about freedom of speech and the influence of social media companies in shaping the flow of information.
The Role of Timing
According to a user on Hacker News, X began delaying links to the New York Times on August 4. This date coincided with Musk’s criticism of the publication’s coverage of South Africa and his accusation of their support for calls for genocide. However, it is important to emphasize that there is no confirmed connection between these events and the link delay. Without further information, it is difficult to ascertain the true cause of the delay and whether it was intentional or coincidental.
Both the New York Times and Reuters expressed concern over the link delay. The New York Times spokesperson stated that they had not received an explanation from X regarding the delay and expressed worry about targeted pressure on news organizations without clear reasons. On the other hand, Reuters acknowledged the Washington Post’s report and confirmed that they are looking into the matter.
Bluesky, a competitor of X that has Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey on its board, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the link delay. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, also did not provide an immediate response. The silence from these companies adds to the intrigue and speculation surrounding the controversy.
The delaying of website links by social media company X has ignited a significant amount of criticism and skepticism. The lack of transparency from X and the absence of a clear motive behind the delay have only deepened the concerns raised by this incident. As discussions of regulation and oversight of social media companies continue, incidents like these highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in how these platforms operate.
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