In a significant move aimed at fostering a safer and more comfortable environment on social media, Elon Musk has announced the rollout of private likes on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This feature, previously available only to premium subscribers, will now be accessible to all users, ensuring that only the user who likes a post and the publisher of that post are aware of the interaction.
Musk emphasised the importance of this change, stating, “It’s important to allow people to like posts without getting attacked for doing so!” This sentiment reflects a growing concern over online harassment and the pressure users feel when expressing their approval of certain content.
The decision to implement private likes stems from a broader initiative to encourage genuine engagement and reduce negative interactions. Haofei Wang, director of engineering at X, elaborated on this rationale last month. Public likes, Wang noted, “are incentivising the wrong behaviour.” Users often refrain from liking content that might be considered controversial or edgy out of fear of backlash from trolls or to maintain their public image.
Wang highlighted that the new private likes feature will allow users to engage with content more freely, without the worry of public scrutiny. He also reminded users that the more posts they like, the more refined their “For You” algorithm will become, enhancing their overall experience on the platform.
In conjunction with this change, X senior software engineer Enrique Barragan confirmed that users will no longer be able to view the Liked tab on another user’s profile. This tab, which lists all posts liked by a user, will be hidden to further protect user privacy.
Addressing concerns about the potential increase in bot activity due to reduced transparency, Barragan assured users that the team is actively working on advanced methods to detect and eliminate bots. “We have some very promising changes in the pipeline that should help deal with bots more effectively,” he stated, aiming to mitigate any negative impact on the platform’s integrity.
The introduction of private likes represents a thoughtful step towards making X a safer space for its users. By prioritising privacy and reducing the risk of harassment, Musk and his team hope to foster a more positive and engaging online community. This move not only protects user preferences but also encourages authentic interactions, paving the way for a more welcoming digital landscape.