X, previously known as Twitter, has ceased allowing users to view the liked posts of other users. This change restricts users to only being able to access the posts they have personally liked. The social media platform unveiled this modification on Wednesday, asserting that it aims to enhance the protection of users’ privacy.
“You will still be able to see posts you have liked [but others cannot],” the social media company said in a post on X.
“Like count and other metrics for your own posts will still show up under notifications. You will no longer see who liked someone else’s post.”
X owner Elon Musk described the update as an “important change”.
Haofei Wang, X’s director of engineering, previously said the site’s likes function incentivised the wrong behaviour.
“For example, many people feel discouraged from liking content that might be ‘edgy’ in fear of retaliation from trolls, or to protect their public image,” Wang said last month on X.
The recent update is just the newest development in a series of modifications following Musk’s acquisition of the influential platform for $44 billion in late 2022.
Under Musk’s leadership, X has significantly reduced moderation and restored previously banned accounts, including those belonging to former United States President Donald Trump and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
While Musk claims that these adjustments have promoted free speech, critics have condemned the Tesla CEO for fostering hateful speech and spreading misinformation. In its latest policy update earlier this month, X formally revised its guidelines to permit users to share consensual and clearly labeled sexualized content.
