Twitter began to police trend lists and shadowbans first started to appear.
Explanation
The statement suggests that Twitter actively began to manage its trending topics and that shadowbanning became noticeable over time. Shadowbanning, a practice where users are stealthily restricted without their knowledge, has been a subject of controversy, especially regarding its existence and transparency. While there have been claims and experiences shared by users regarding shadowbanning, including recent assertions that all new accounts might start out shadowbanned, these are largely anecdotal and not officially confirmed by Twitter. Notably, the reference to Elon Musk's influence brings a contemporary layer to the shadowbanning discussion, highlighting that his tenure contributed to more pronounced visibility of these practices. Moreover, some reports suggest that before the public engagement around the so-called 'Twitter Files' invoking shadowbanning, Musk himself utilized such mechanisms against specific accounts, indicating an acknowledgment of the tool's use in platform moderation. Therefore, while trend policing has been ongoing, the beginning of clear public discourse about shadowbanning likely aligns with Musk's controversial changes at Twitter, pointing towards the complexity and historical entanglement of these practices.
Key Points
- Twitter has historically managed trends and content visibility.
- Shadowbanning is a contentious issue; experiences differ among users.
- Recent discussions have heightened awareness of shadowbanning under Musk's leadership.
