Key facts
- X will now inform users when their posts are shown to fewer people due to compliance with local laws.
- The "Under the Hood" tool will highlight downranking of posts resulting from government-required content filtering.
- Previously, X did not provide users with information about account or post labeling and downranking.
- The "Under the Hood" option allows users to download aggregate stats as a JSON file.
- The updated tool will include which posts were withheld in a country and which country made the request.
X announced on Monday that it is expanding its transparency efforts by informing users when their posts are limited in visibility due to government-mandated content filtering. The social media platform's "Under the Hood" tool, previously focused on account and post labels affecting visibility, will now specifically highlight instances where X complies with local laws requiring content moderation. This means users will be able to see if their posts have been downranked or withheld in specific countries due to legal demands, and which country made the request.
Previously, users often accused X, formerly known as Twitter, of "shadowbanning" without clear recourse or explanation. While many companies provide aggregate data on government requests through transparency reports, X's approach offers a more granular, account- and post-level view for affected users. The "Under the Hood" feature, accessible within the app's settings, allows users who have posted at least 10 times in a month to download their statistics as a JSON file, which can be interpreted by AI chatbots for non-technical users.