X (formerly Twitter) changes tweet format: less transparency, more fake news ? 🚨

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Since its transformation into X, the platform formerly known as Twitter has been constantly tweaking its features, sometimes at the risk of losing its identity. The latest change concerns the format of tweets.

A threat to information verification ⚠️

Some X (formerly Twitter) users have noticed changes in how tweets are displayed. Views now appear at the top, above the tweet’s content, while the exact time of publication has disappeared, replaced by a vague mention like « 5 hours ago ». Another major change: it is no longer possible to tell if a tweet has been edited. This makes verifying information on the platform even harder.

Photo : Pop Base sur X

These seemingly minor adjustments raise serious concerns about transparency and combating misinformation. A cornerstone of fighting fake news is users’ ability to verify the timing and integrity of posts. Until now, users could not only see the exact time a tweet was posted but also know if it had been edited, thanks to an explicit label (« edited »). These details were essential for:

• Cross-checking statements with facts in real-time;
• Identifying outdated or repurposed content used out of context;
• Detecting manipulations, such as subtle corrections made after massive shares.

With these new changes, tweets become opaque. It is impossible to know if they’ve been edited, opening the door to malicious practices like:

• Publishing sensational information to maximize engagement, then altering the content after it goes viral;
• Quietly correcting errors or falsehoods without the public noticing.

This lack of traceability poses a significant reliability issue for a platform that claims to be a hub for public discussion.

The overemphasis on views: a risk of artificial amplification 🧐

Highlighting views at the top of tweets could also have unintended negative consequences. Impressive numbers grab attention and create a social validation effect, where users assume popular content must be legitimate or relevant. This could benefit tweets containing false but sensational information, which tend to spread rapidly.

Even worse, malicious actors might exploit this new hierarchy by artificially inflating views through bots or coordinated campaigns. In such cases, incorrect information could appear credible simply because it seems widely viewed.

Fewer reference points, more confusion😵‍💫

These combined changes contribute to a worrying trend on X: the erosion of mechanisms that help users distinguish truth from falsehood. Since the platform ended systematic verification of blue badges, it has seen an influx of accounts impersonating others or spreading fake news.

Without an exact publication time or clear indication of edits, it becomes much easier for malicious groups to:

• Recirculate old tweets as though they’re new;
• Modify statements retroactively to avoid accountability;
• Manipulate public debates by introducing confusion into current discussions.

A call for user vigilance 🚨

These changes raise an important question: Is the platform still a reliable tool for following real-time news ? The answer largely depends on the vigilance of its users. Here are some tips to avoid falling into the fake news trap:

• Cross-check information by consulting multiple reliable sources;
• Double-check screenshots and avoid sharing tweets without proper context;
• Be cautious with highly viral content, especially if its timing or integrity seems unclear.

A gradual rollout that already raises concerns 😡

This change in format is still being rolled out and is currently visible only to some users on web and iOS platforms. However, it is already raising questions, especially about its long-term impact on the platform’s credibility.

By making tweets less transparent—whether regarding their publication time or edits—X is taking a significant risk: jeopardizing its reputation as a trustworthy source of information. If this trend continues and becomes widespread, combating misinformation on this network could become even more challenging.

As social networks play a central role in the circulation of information, these decisions highlight the importance of users remaining vigilant and turning to more transparent alternatives.

 Your opinion matters !!!
Do you use X (formerly Twitter) regularly? What do you think about this display change? Share your thoughts in the comments!