Maria Irene
Social media giant Twitter is set to make a significant change in its user experience starting April 15th, as revealed by Elon Musk. In a tweet, Musk announced that only verified accounts will be eligible to be in ‘For You’ recommendations, a decision made in response to the growing threat of advanced AI bot swarms. Additionally, voting in polls will require verification for the same reason.
Musk’s tweet read: “Starting April 15th, only verified accounts will be eligible to be in For You recommendations. This is the only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over. It is otherwise a hopeless losing battle. Voting in polls will require verification for the same reason.”
However, the announcement has ignited mixed reactions among Twitter users, with many expressing concerns about the changes and their implications on content visibility, follower growth, and privacy.
User Luke Sawhook (@lukesawhook) expressed his disappointment, saying, “So people who aren’t verified will never see my content and I’ll never get to gain new followers??? This is HORRIBLE.” Another user, Rohit Sharma (@DcWalaDesi), sarcastically suggested that Twitter might as well ask everyone to pay for an account.
Steve Ward (@stevenbward) argued that this move will allow polls to be bought and paid for, questioning the effectiveness of the decision. In contrast, Jimmy Smith (@SmthQA) showed support for Musk’s announcement, stating that it “makes perfect sense.”
Several users raised concerns about the potential loss of privacy and freedom of expression. Geo (@GeoDaviss) emphasized the importance of finding a balance between user safety and protecting privacy and freedom of expression.
Despite the backlash, some users welcomed the change. Lupo (@lupoeth) praised the decision, saying, “Great news! No more fake polls (finally).”
As the debate continues, content creators on the platform are left wondering how these changes will affect their ability to reach new audiences and maintain their current follower base. Some have even questioned when revenue sharing will take effect for content creators, like Brad Kaellner (@bkaellner).
While it remains to be seen how this new policy will impact Twitter’s overall user experience, it is clear that the platform’s ongoing battle against AI-driven misinformation and manipulation is far from over. The conversation surrounding user safety and content authenticity continues to evolve, with stakeholders urging the platform to strike a balance between security and freedom of expression.
