Twitter has raised eyebrows by rolling out a new requirement - you must now be logged into your account to peruse tweets. If you're someone who prefers to bird-watch without having a nest on the platform, it looks like you're out of luck!
As of now, Twitter remains silent about this surprising pivot. Given the hiccups the platform has experienced since Elon Musk took the reins, it's not out of question that this could just be a technical glitch. However, it might also be a strategic move designed to lure the platform's silent observers into creating an account, especially as Twitter grapples with user growth.
This abrupt change could be a double-edged sword for the social media giant. If tweets become inaccessible to the public, it could hamstring Twitter's visibility on search engines, potentially leading to less traffic from sources like Google. Plus, let's be honest - it's a bit of an inconvenience!
Musk, who maintains significant sway in Twitter's operations despite no longer holding the CEO title, may also be using this move to deter AI tools from mining data from the platform. After all, he once condemned Microsoft for using Twitter data in a manner he deemed unlawful, leading to Microsoft's ousting from Twitter's advertising platform.
In the meantime, Twitter's newly appointed CEO, Linda Yaccarino, is left grappling with a platform riddled with glitches. Just this week, a staggering number of users were mystifyingly notified of a three-day suspension due to alleged spam activity. The cause of this mass suspension remains a mystery, as Twitter remains tight-lipped despite numerous inquiries.
With Musk's presence in the decision-making room, Twitter's policies can shift as swiftly as a bird changes direction mid-flight. As the world watches with bated breath, only time will reveal what comes next for this social media giant.
