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Tag: X

  • Reuters Accounts Blocked by X in India

    Reuters Accounts Blocked by X in India

    X Blocks Reuters Accounts in India

    X, formerly known as Twitter, has recently blocked several Reuters accounts within India, raising concerns about media access and freedom of information. This action impacts the distribution of news from one of the world’s leading news organizations.

    The Blocking of Accounts

    The specific reasons behind X’s decision to block Reuters accounts remain unclear. While X hasn’t issued an official statement detailing the precise cause, speculations suggest possible regulatory pressures or content-related issues. The blocking prevents users in India from accessing news and updates directly from these Reuters accounts.

    Reuters’ Response

    Reuters is likely engaging with X to understand the reasons behind the block and to seek a resolution that restores access to their accounts for Indian users. News organizations prioritize ensuring their content remains accessible to the public, and any disruption is a matter of concern.

    Possible Reasons Behind the Block

    Several factors could contribute to this situation:

    • Regulatory Compliance: Social media platforms often face pressure from governments to comply with local laws and regulations.
    • Content Moderation: Disputes over content moderation policies could lead to account restrictions.
    • Geopolitical Issues: Tensions or conflicts between nations can sometimes influence the availability of international news sources.
  • X’s AI Chatbots Now Generate Community Notes: Pilot Program

    X’s AI Chatbots Now Generate Community Notes: Pilot Program

    X Piloting AI-Generated Community Notes

    X, formerly known as Twitter, is exploring innovative ways to leverage artificial intelligence. They are currently piloting a program where AI chatbots generate Community Notes.

    How the AI Chatbot Program Works

    The specifics of how these machine learning models create these notes are still under wraps. However, the goal is to streamline the process of providing context and corrections to potentially misleading information shared on the platform. This could significantly improve the efficiency of Community Notes.

    Benefits of AI-Assisted Notes

    Here are some potential advantages of using AI to generate Community Notes:

    • Increased Speed: AI can quickly analyze tweets and draft notes.
    • Improved Scalability: AI can handle a large volume of content.
    • Reduced Bias: Algorithms can potentially reduce human bias.

    Future Implications for AI and Social Media

    This pilot program marks a significant step in integrating AI into social media content moderation. As AI ethics evolve, these kinds of programs could change how platforms manage content and combat misinformation.

  • X Taps Nikita Bier as New Product Chief

    X Taps Nikita Bier as New Product Chief

    Nikita Bier Joins X as Head of Product

    Nikita Bier has officially announced his new role at X (formerly Twitter) as the Head of Product, celebrating his journey with the phrase: ‘I’ve officially posted my way to the top.’

    New Leadership at X

    Nikita Bier now leads product at X. It’s a major leadership shift. Moreover, the move signals a renewed focus on product innovation under Bier’s guidance

    Why It Matters

    First, Bier built viral apps like tbh and Gas, which Meta and Discord acquired. Furthermore, he’s known for his strong growth and engagement instincts

    Additionally, he pursued this role publicly. He tweeted at Elon Musk in 2022, saying “@elonmusk Hire me to run Twitter as VP of Product.” Later, he shared, “I’ve officially posted my way to the top”—a reflection of his bold, proactive style

    Bier’s Strategic Vision

    He plans to leverage Grok, X’s AI assistant, to deliver hyper‑relevant timelines. Thus, users will get content that truly resonates ainvest.com

    He also flagged improvements in notifications. As a result, expect better message delivery and more user control over updates .

    What’s at Stake

    Now, Bier will steer product direction during X’s transformation into an “everything app” under Musk. Moreover, he’ll oversee growth in areas like messaging, payments, investing, and content features

    However, the challenge lies in aligning his vision with Musk’s broad ambitions. Still, Bier’s appointment marks a clear shift toward strategic product innovation

    Bier’s Vision for X

    While specific details of Bier’s product roadmap remain under wraps, industry observers anticipate fresh perspectives on how X can enhance user engagement and expand its service offerings. His prior experiences will likely influence his strategies at X.

    Impact on Platform Development

    The tech community is keenly watching how Bier’s leadership will influence the development of new features and improvements to the existing platform. Many expect to see an increased focus on user–centric design and innovative functionalities.

  • Bluesky Attracts Left-Leaning Influencers, X Stays Relevant

    Bluesky Attracts Left-Leaning Influencers, X Stays Relevant

    Left-Leaning Influencers Embrace Bluesky While Staying on X

    A recent Pew Research Center study reveals that many left-leaning influencers are exploring Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, without completely abandoning X (formerly Twitter). This trend highlights the evolving social media landscape and the search for alternative platforms that align with specific values and communities.

    The Allure of Bluesky

    Bluesky, backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, aims to create a more open and decentralized social network. Its emphasis on algorithmic choice and user control attracts individuals seeking alternatives to the centralized control and content moderation policies of platforms like X.

    • Decentralization: Bluesky offers a decentralized model, giving users more control over their data and experience.
    • Algorithmic Choice: Users can choose different algorithms to curate their feeds, fostering a more personalized experience.
    • Community Focus: The platform emphasizes building communities around shared interests and values.

    X Remains a Key Platform

    Despite the growing interest in Bluesky, X remains a significant platform for many influencers, especially for reaching a broad audience and engaging in real-time conversations. The established user base and the platform’s role in news dissemination and public discourse keep it relevant for influencers seeking to maintain visibility and impact.

    Why Influencers Are Diversifying

    Several factors contribute to the diversification of social media platforms among influencers:

    • Content Moderation: Concerns about content moderation policies on platforms like X have led some influencers to seek alternative spaces.
    • Community Building: Platforms like Bluesky offer opportunities to build niche communities with shared values and interests.
    • Algorithmic Control: Influencers desire more control over the content that their audience sees, driving interest in platforms with algorithmic choice.
  • X Pauses Encrypted Direct Messages Feature

    X Pauses Encrypted Direct Messages Feature

    X Halted Encrypted Direct Messages Feature

    X (formerly Twitter) has temporarily suspended its encrypted direct messages (DMs) feature. The company announced that the pause is to facilitate improvements to the service. While users can still access their existing encrypted messages, sending new ones is currently disabled. Yahoo Finance

    Limitations of the Previous Encryption Feature

    Introduced in 2023, X’s encrypted DMs were available only to verified users who were mutual followers or had previously accepted messages from each other. The feature had several limitations: it did not support group chats, multimedia messages, or metadata encryption. Additionally, encrypted conversations did not carry over to new devices, and the encryption lacked protection against certain types of cyberattacks. Mezha.Media

    Speculations About a New Messaging Platform

    The suspension has led to speculation about the development of a new messaging platform, tentatively named XChat. Leaked information suggests that XChat may offer enhanced privacy features, including PIN-protected chats and more robust encryption. However, X has not officially confirmed these details or provided a timeline for the launch. TechTrendsKE

    Technical Issues and User Concerns

    The timing of the suspension coincides with technical issues following a fire at a data center in Oregon, which affected various parts of X’s infrastructure, including messaging services. While X has not directly linked the suspension to these issues, the overlap has raised questions among users. The lack of a clear roadmap for reinstating encrypted DMs has also led to concerns about the platform’s commitment to user privacy. TechTrendsKE

    As X works on improving its messaging features, users are advised to stay informed about updates and consider alternative platforms for secure communication in the interim.

    The exact reasons behind this pause remain somewhat unclear, though X officials are likely evaluating the implementation and security of the feature.

    What Happened?

    The encrypted DMs feature, aimed at providing end-to-end encryption for direct messages, was paused recently. We are still waiting for the official statement from X about the reason, but many users and experts assume the feature needs a security revamp.

    Why is Encryption Important?

    Encryption plays a crucial role in online security. It ensures that only the sender and recipient can read the content of a message, protecting it from eavesdropping by third parties. As privacy concerns continue to grow, encrypted communication tools are becoming increasingly important. Learn more about the importance of encryption in digital communication.

    Future of Encrypted DMs on X

    The future of encrypted DMs on X is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether the company will address the identified issues and re-introduce the feature. Users interested in secure messaging may need to explore alternative platforms like Signal or WhatsApp in the meantime.

  • X Timelines Not Updating: Users Report Issues

    X Timelines Not Updating: Users Report Issues

    X Timelines Not Updating: Users Report Issues

    Many users are currently experiencing issues with their X (formerly Twitter) timelines not updating. This widespread problem prevents users from seeing the latest tweets and information, leading to frustration and disruption in their social media experience.

    Widespread Outage

    Reports are flooding in across various platforms indicating that X timelines are failing to refresh. Users are seeing old tweets and encountering error messages when attempting to load new content. This issue affects both the web and mobile app versions of X, impacting a significant portion of the user base. Several users have reported the outage on other social media platforms.

    Possible Causes

    While X has not yet officially commented on the cause of the problem, there are several potential reasons for the timeline issue:

    • Server Overload: A sudden surge in user activity could strain X’s servers, leading to delays in updating timelines.
    • Software Bug: A recent update to the X platform might contain a bug that is preventing timelines from loading correctly.
    • API Issues: Problems with X’s API (Application Programming Interface) could disrupt the flow of data to user timelines.
    • Network Problems: There might be interruptions in the network that are preventing timelines from loading correctly.

    Troubleshooting Steps

    While waiting for X to resolve the issue, users can try the following troubleshooting steps:

    • Refresh the App/Website: Try manually refreshing the X app or website to see if the timeline updates.
    • Check Internet Connection: Ensure that you have a stable and active internet connection.
    • Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing the cache and cookies in your browser or app can sometimes resolve loading issues.
    • Restart Device: Restarting your computer or mobile device can help to clear temporary glitches.
    • Reinstall the App: Uninstalling and reinstalling the X app can sometimes fix more persistent problems.