The 𝕏 algorithm assumes that if you interact with content, you want to see more of that content.
One of the strongest signals is if you forward 𝕏 posts to friends, it assumes you like that content a lot, because it takes effort to forward.
Unfortunately, if the actual reason…
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2024
Mark Cuban has openly criticized Elon Musk’s management of social media platform X, asserting that the site is not the “bastion of free speech” that many believe it to be. Cuban elaborated that while Musk allows users to think they have free speech, the reality is different. “He is the ultimate arbiter of everything on here.
The biggest power play is him making everyone think their speech is free speech,” Cuban wrote.
Hey @elonmusk , if you truly want to make @x a free speech platform, why not make the @x firehose available to everyone for free ?
Wouldn't it effectively de-centralize posts and pre-empt any Nation from censoring the platform ?
I realize there are financial and competitive…
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) September 2, 2024
According to him, the platform is “only as free as Elon wants it to be,” with Musk having the ability to alter algorithms or suspend accounts at will. Musk, who bought Twitter (rebranded as X) in October 2022 and completed the acquisition in July 2023, had initially stated that his aim was to improve Twitter by introducing new features, making algorithms open source, defeating spam bots, and authenticating all humans.
However, Cuban believes that the current state of X is a departure from those promises. Cuban acknowledged that despite his criticism, he continues to use X and engage with Musk.
Mark Cuban questions free speech
As Elon Musk and 𝕏 fight for free speech, do you support their work? pic.twitter.com/opeFTRZM1t
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) September 1, 2024
“Whenever he calls me out or calls me names, I’ll throw something back at him. It’s fun,” Cuban said. “I like to engage with different people on any number of topics.”
Cuban’s remarks are part of a broader exchange with Musk, in which he suggested that Musk might have adjusted X’s algorithm to favor content he prefers.
Musk countered that the platform is open-source and that Cuban’s interactions influenced the content he sees. Despite their online sparring, Cuban mentioned in an interview that he enjoys his interactions with Musk. “I have fun sparring with Elon.
He likes to troll and so do I,” Cuban said in June. Representatives for both Musk at X and Cuban did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
