Sections of this topic
In this article, we’ll look at the reasons behind the recent Twitter Circle bug that makes some private tweets public, causing privacy concerns for users and potential embarrassment.
Key Takeaways:
- Twitter Circle bug exposes private tweets to followers and strangers.
- Technical issues have increased since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and layoffs.
- Privacy concerns rise as users face potential harassment and sensitive information leakage.
- Twitter’s public relations team disbanded, leaving users with unanswered questions.
The Twitter Circle Bug: How It Works
Twitter Circle, a feature designed to allow users to share tweets with a select group of people, similar to Instagram’s Close Friends stories, is experiencing a bug that’s making some of these private tweets public.
Users have discovered that their private Circle posts are appearing on the algorithmically generated “For You” timeline, which means that their intended audience is being breached, potentially causing discomfort or even embarrassment.
This bug manifests itself in various ways. For example, a tweet from a public account might appear on a user’s “For You” timeline, but the retweet button would be disabled.
When attempting to click on the tweet, it vanishes. In some cases, users who are not part of a Circle are seeing tweets intended only for that Circle, while others have reported that their private Circle posts are reaching people who don’t even follow them.
Technical Hiccups Since Elon Musk’s Takeover
Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter and laid off many employees, the platform has faced a growing number of technical issues.
These problems range from multiple outages and confusing API changes to uncertainty around feature rollouts and removals.
While these issues haven’t necessarily driven users away from the platform, they haven’t helped Twitter’s struggle to retain advertisers and turn a profit.
In an interview, Theo Browne, a creator and former Twitch engineer, told TechCrunch that Twitter’s recommendation algorithm might be failing to filter out private Circle tweets before sharing them with users.
He speculated that the algorithm’s sourcing model is surfacing this private content, but it’s not being adequately filtered out.
Privacy and Security Concerns for Twitter Users
The Twitter Circle bug raises serious privacy and security concerns for users who rely on the feature to share sensitive information or avoid potential harassment.
The platform’s growing list of technical problems only serves to heighten these concerns.
The fact that the bug exposes private tweets to people outside of a Circle or even to strangers is a significant cause for alarm.
Furthermore, the company’s decision to disband its public relations team leaves users without a clear channel to address these issues or seek answers to their questions.
This lack of transparency and communication can only serve to erode user trust in the platform.
Users Report the Glitch on Their Tweets
Multiple users have reported experiencing the glitch firsthand, while others have taken to Twitter to discuss the problem.
In most cases, it appears that private Circle tweets are showing up in the “For You” timeline of users who follow the poster but are not part of their Circle.
However, some users have reported that their Circle tweets are reaching even further, to people who don’t follow them at all.
One example involved a tweet about feeling left out for not watching the popular TV show “Succession.”
While this tweet might not have had severe consequences, it’s easy to imagine the potential fallout if users were posting about their jobs, relationships, or other sensitive matters.
Twitter’s Recommendation Algorithm to Blame?
Elon Musk has acknowledged that Twitter’s initial release of its recommendation algorithm would likely contain mistakes, but he promised that the company would work quickly to fix them.
With the recent exposure of private Circle tweets, it seems that the algorithm might indeed be at fault.
Theo Browne’s explanation that Twitter’s sourcing model surfaces private content, but the filtering process is inadequate, suggests that the recommendation algorithm could be responsible for the bug.
Twitter recently revealed the source code behind this algorithm, which uses multiple models to source, rank, and filter tweets.
If Browne’s hypothesis is correct, it means that the algorithm is not doing its job of keeping private content private.
As users continue to experience this glitch, it’s clear that Twitter needs to address the problem and update its algorithm to prevent further privacy breaches.
However, with the platform’s public relations team disbanded and no clear communication channel, it remains to be seen whether Twitter will take swift action to fix this bug.
Conclusion: Time to Be Extra Cautious on Twitter
The recent Twitter Circle bug that exposes private tweets to unintended audiences serves as a reminder for users to be extra cautious when sharing content on the platform.
The growing number of technical issues since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and the subsequent layoffs raise concerns about the platform’s privacy and security.
Until Twitter resolves this issue, users should think twice before sharing sensitive information on their Circle, as there’s no guarantee that these private posts will remain private.
While the social media giant has always been a place for open conversation, it’s crucial for users to be mindful of the potential risks and protect themselves from unwanted exposure.
