Elon Musk Promises Algorithm Transparency on X Amid Rising Regulatory Pressure

Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, will make its recommendation algorithm publicly available within the next seven days, marking a significant transparency move as regulatory scrutiny intensifies, especially in Europe. The announcement signals a new approach to addressing concerns over content moderation, misinformation, and advertising practices on the platform.

Musk revealed in a Saturday post that the upcoming disclosure will include all code used to determine how both organic posts and advertisements are recommended to users. Beyond the initial release, X plans to update the algorithm every four weeks, accompanied by detailed developer notes explaining changes over time, ensuring the public can track how the system evolves.

“This move will allow researchers, developers, and the general public to better understand how content is ranked and distributed on X,” Musk said. While he did not specify the reasons behind the timing of this decision, the announcement comes amid mounting regulatory pressure on X’s recommendation and moderation systems.

European authorities have been particularly active in demanding transparency from X. In July, French regulators formally requested details of X’s algorithm during an investigation into alleged bias and content manipulation. X had previously declined to share the information, calling the probe politically motivated. Opening the algorithm could help the platform address these ongoing concerns and establish a precedent for accountability in social media.

For users, regulators, and researchers, the release of the algorithm promises greater insight into how X curates feeds, ranks content, and targets advertising. By embracing transparency, Musk could not only ease regulatory pressure but also set a new standard for ethical and open practices in the tech industry, providing clarity on one of the most influential social media platforms today.

source: Business day