X recently implemented a five-second delay on certain news outlets and social media sites. The sites affected included The New York Times, Reuters, and other news outlets, as well as social media sites like Blue Sky.
However, all sites that reported delays on their links have now reported minimal or no holdup.
The delay primarily impacted links associated with the t.co domain, which X uses to track and manage most of its website traffic. Notably, sites such as Fox News, The Washington Post, and Mastadon experienced little to no delay.
The delay issue was initially brought to light by The Post, and many observed that the affected links were from X’s rivals or publications known for their criticism of X owner, Elon Musk.
Among the affected sites was Substack, which has had disputes with Mr. Musk. In fact, earlier this year, Mr. Musk accused Substack Notes of copying Twitter and labeled links to Substack as “unsafe.”
From a unique perspective, it is important for online platforms to ensure equal and unbiased access to information. The delay issue faced by X raises concerns about potential influence over users’ access to news outlets and competing sites. Transparency and fair practices are crucial to maintaining trust and credibility in the digital space.
