“Show the tweets you want to see.” Twitter’s promise in setting up its “For You” feed was taken at face value. So much so that an analysis by the Washington Post reveals that the social network’s recommendation algorithm includes extremist accounts that spread hate speech.
identified as extreme
The American newspaper realized that a user could be offered publications from accounts that he did not follow. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. Except that, in some cases, the tweets in question come from accounts that spread racist or provocative comments. Among them, several are part of the former exiles from the platform that Elon Musk reinstated in favor of a general amnesty.
These recommendations appear to be triggered when a user follows accounts identified as extreme, in particular listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which promotes education and tolerance.
By creating new accounts, the media were able to verify it. As soon as he started following a dozen users considered extremists, a quote accompanied by a portrait of Hitler appeared in the recommendations of the “For You” feed. Posts from an account claiming to be Nazi were also highlighted during their analysis.
Contrary to Elon Musk’s promise
These revelations conflict with the words of Elon Musk. Shortly after the takeover of Twitter at the end of October, the new owner assured that negative content would not be highlighted.
The Washington Post’s analysis comes as Twitter has planned to feature only paying users of the platform. Therefore, only accounts that subscribed to Twitter Blue could have expected to appear in the “For You” feed. But in the face of discontent, Elon Musk took a step back. He assured that the accounts already followed by a user will be able to integrate the recommendations tab. And this whether they are subscribed to Twitter Blue or not.
Source: BFM TV
