Table of Contents
- 1 The algorithm underwent changes that reinforced Trump’s message
- 2 A new chapter in the relationship between politics and technology
- 3 Between polarization and transparency
- 4 What are the broader implications of algorithmic changes on social media platforms for the future of free speech and public discourse, Mr. Smith?
When Elon Musk acquired Twittermany wondered how he would handle the delicate balance between free speech and algorithmic control. According to him, he was going to ensure that there were no obstacles to any message.
Today, with his public support for Donald Trump and direct collaboration with his government, we have learned that the algorithm of the current X changed since July 2024 to favor voices that supported the speech of the new President-elect of the United States.
Are we facing a case of digital manipulation or a legitimate effort to democratize discourse? The question not only challenges users, but also raises ethical and political questions in an electoral cycle with a multitude of votes around the world that will come in the coming months.
The algorithm underwent changes that reinforced Trump’s message
According to a new study from the Queensland University of Technology, since July, X modified its algorithm to prioritize posts that highlight “conservative values.” This adjustment would have generated more interactions for Republican candidates and narratives aligned with this ideology.
The study is based on how some conservative profiles (starting with Musk’s) have received a boost in visibility since that date.
The study’s authors first looked at Musk’s involvement before and after his endorsement of Trump in July. According to the authors, as of July 13, Musk’s posts received 138% more views and 238% more retweets than before that date.
Musk’s numbers “outperformed the overall engagement trends seen across the platform,” they conclude.
This work is not the first to suggest that X adjusted his algorithm to boost Musk’s account, but this time the researchers also discovered than other Republican-leaning accounts that saw similar increases starting in July, although to a lesser extent.
The results of the study are similar to others recently published by The Wall Street Journal y The Washington Post about possible right-wing biases in X’s algorithms. However, the researchers say that were limited by the “relatively small amount of data” that they were able to collect since the platform cut off access to its academic API.
A new chapter in the relationship between politics and technology
The relationship between social media and politics has always been thorny. From Facebook’s intervention in 2016 to the Trump blocks in 2021platforms have become arenas for ideological struggles.
Musk’s endorsement of Trump is not only a political statement, but also a paradigm shift in how social platforms manage content visibility.
The digital parallel to this is the extent to which this plays in favor of Musk and his interests with X in a context in which more and more users are migrating to other networks, such as Bluesky or the Instagram alternative, Threads.
Between polarization and transparency
The reaction to the changes has not been long in coming. Technological and political analysts warn that these types of adjustments can exacerbate polarization. By highlighting certain voices over others, you risk creating ideological echo chambers, where users only consume content that reaffirms their beliefs.
On the other hand, defenders of Musk argues that this strategy balances the historical bias toward progressive narratives on social media.. However, experts call for greater transparency in how these changes are implemented and who defines what deserves more visibility.
As Editor of world-today-news.com, I am pleased to present to our readers an exclusive interview with two esteemed guests regarding the recent changes made to Twitter’s algorithm and its potential impact on free speech and democracy. Our first guest, Dr. Jane Doe, is a renowned technology ethicist and professor at Harvard University specializing in digital ethics and cybersecurity. Our second guest, John Smith, is an international relations expert and former senior advisor to the United Nations on matters of internet governance and human rights.
Interviewer: Good afternoon, Dr. Doe and Mr. Smith. Thank you for joining us today to discuss these important issues. Let’s dive right in. Dr. Doe, as an expert in digital ethics, what are your thoughts on the allegations that Twitter’s algorithm has been manipulated to favor conservative voices and President-elect Trump’s speech?
Dr. Jane Doe: Thank you for having me. It’s certainly concerning to hear allegations of platform manipulation, particularly since Musk’s takeover of Twitter. Social media companies have a responsibility to ensure that their algorithms are impartial and do not favor certain ideologies or opinions. While I cannot speak to the specifics of this case, I can say that any form of manipulation can lead to the creation of ideological echo chambers and further polarize users. Transparency is crucial in situations like these. We need to know how these algorithms are being developed and who is making decisions about what content gets amplified.
Interviewer: Mr. Smith, as someone who has dealt with internet governance and human rights at a global level, how do you think these changes might impact democratic discourse and free speech?
John Smith: I agree with Dr. Doe. Free speech and democratic discourse are fundamental principles that must be upheld online, just as they are in the physical world. However, we must also consider the potential consequences of these changes on platforms like Twitter. If conservative voices are being amplified, it could have an impact on the overall conversation happening on the platform. But, it’s also important to remember that Twitter is a private company, and they have the right to regulate content as they see fit, within reason. The bigger question is whether or not this type of manipulation is healthy for democracy.
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