Twitter/X, the development team led by Elon Musk, is set to release a software update that will notify users if their accounts have been “shadowbanned.” Andrea Conway, a designer at X, offered a sneak peek at the upcoming feature, showcasing mock-ups of the notification process. The update would involve adding a label to accounts that contain sensitive media, such as graphic or hateful content, thereby restricting their reach and visibility on the platform. Users will have the option to appeal the label if they believe it was wrongly applied. This marks the first time Twitter has imposed limits on entire accounts, although it’s important to note that limiting post visibility is different from shadowbanning, which Twitter defines as making someone’s content undiscoverable except to the original poster.
Elon Musk previously accused Twitter of shadowbanning and promised to introduce a software update that would reveal users’ true account status. Musk even shared records of Twitter executives discussing visibility filtering with selected journalists when he took control of the platform. However, shadowbanning involves deliberately hiding someone’s content from everyone except the person who posted it, which Twitter denies doing. The forthcoming update aims to address user concerns about shadowbanning by providing transparency and clarity regarding account status. Conway emphasized that the shared interface details were not final, indicating that more information about the update will be revealed soon.
Overall, Twitter/X is working on a software update that will notify users if their accounts have been labeled as containing sensitive content, resulting in limited visibility and restricted reach. The update aims to address concerns about shadowbanning and provide transparency to users. Andrea Conway offered a preview of the upcoming feature, showcasing the notification process. Although this is the first time Twitter has imposed limits on entire accounts, it is distinct from shadowbanning as defined by the platform. Elon Musk previously accused Twitter of shadowbanning and promised to introduce a software update to reveal users’ true account status. More details about the update are expected to be announced soon.