Elon Musk Provides Definite Time For Twitter’s Open Source Algorithm

On 21st February 2023, Elon Musk, in a reply on Twitter to tweeter user Derek Smart, suggested that the social media platform would open source its algorithm in a week’s time from said date. The tweet from Derek’s account read, “Right. Now open source it, then we’ll be truly impressed.”

In response, Musk remarked, “prepare to be disappointed at first when our algorithm is made open-source next week, but it will improve rapidly!” Although Musk so often makes official announcements and communications concerning Twitter, this one was taken with some degree of skepticism.

According to The Register, Elon Musk expressed his intentions to open source Twitter’s algorithm even before he took over the social network. Musk claimed that open sourcing the algorithm was the only way to tackle the user’s ‘de facto bias’ and for people to understand what is truly happening. Jack Dorsey (former Twitter CEO) also tweeted in support of open sourcing saying, “A transparent system, both in policy and operations, is the right way to earn trust…”

However, the said week came and passed and still there was no news from Musk or Twitter regarding open-sourcing their algorithm until 31st March 2023. Before we get into that, what does Twitter open-sourcing their algorithm change?

Making the Twitter algorithm open source will allow its software to be publicly accessible to users and individuals all over the world. Amid increased political and legal scrutiny on how social media platforms’ content recommendation work, this will without doubt help keep away legislators, regulators, and lawmakers.

Another pro of making the algorithm open source according to Dataconomy is from the user’s perspective. The average user is for the most part unaware of the power and influence that Twitter wields for or against them. With the code available, the user gets to know what content is more valuable propose modifications to the algorithm, and even develop their own applications based on the said algorithm.

Dataconomy also goes on to highlight major cons to this move. With the algorithm open to the public, we are likely to see a rise in Twitter clones and security concerns as people try to find backdoors into the system.

After the ‘next week’ deadline passed, it seemed that Elon Musk had sold everyone a dream. However, on Friday 31st March 2023, all this changed through you guessed it – an Elon Musk tweet. The tweet read, “Algorithm goes open source at noon Pacific Time.”

From the tweet, it looks like Elon might be sticking to his promise. It has taken way longer than a week but hey, better late than never.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.