Elon Musk has confirmed that the social media platform X will begin hiding likes on posts to help users protect their public image. Reports emerged on Tuesday suggesting that the rollout of this new feature is imminent. Musk reinforced these reports by sharing a link to one such article and affirming the upcoming change.
In his post, Musk emphasized the importance of this feature, stating that making likes private would allow users to like posts without fear of backlash. “It’s crucial to enable people to express their appreciation for content without being attacked for it,” he wrote.
This announcement follows comments made last month by Haofei Wang, X’s Director of Engineering, who highlighted the need for this change. Wang noted that some users are hesitant to like certain posts due to concerns about potential retaliation, especially when the content is considered controversial.
He pointed out that this hesitance can negatively impact the user experience, as people might avoid engaging with content they genuinely appreciate out of fear for their public image.
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“Soon, you’ll be able to like posts without worrying about who might see it,” Wang said. He also reminded users that engaging with more content by liking posts can improve their personalized “For You” algorithm on the platform.
According to X, once this feature is implemented, likes will only be visible to the user and the author of the post. The author will receive a notification, but no one else will see the interaction. Additionally, bookmarks will remain private, visible only to the user.
Important to allow people to like posts without getting attacked for doing so! https://t.co/3O1bG7wIGe
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2024
Wang also mentioned the possibility of further customization, allowing users to adjust their privacy settings for likes according to their preferences.
“We are indeed making likes private,” Musk confirmed in a post on X back in May, hinting at the platform’s ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and interaction.
This move by X underscores the platform’s commitment to fostering a safer and more comfortable environment for its users, where they can engage with content freely and without apprehension.