X Roles Out Hiding Likes

X, previously known as Twitter, has begun rolling out a feature that hides likes on user profiles. This change was confirmed by Elon Musk, the owner of X, who stated that the move is intended to protect users’ public image and allow them to like posts without fear of being attacked.

According to reports, the likes tab on user profiles will disappear from the site. However, users will still be able to see who liked their posts and the overall like count for all posts will remain visible. This change is part of X’s efforts to encourage more engagement on the platform by allowing users to like “edgy” content without fear of backlash.

The decision to hide likes comes after several high-profile incidents where public figures faced criticism for liking controversial or explicit content. For example, the official accounts of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Chinese ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming both liked pornographic content, while X Corp. CEO Elon Musk was found to like transphobic posts.

This change has been met with mixed reactions from users and experts. Some argue that it could lead to manipulation as creators employ bots to boost their content and help them generate revenue. Others have suggested alternative solutions, such as making the likes private as an option, not a default, or allowing users to long-press the heart icon to leave an anonymous “like”.

Despite the criticism, X is moving forward with the change, aiming to create a more inclusive and engaging platform for its users.