Twitter’s Algorithm Reveals Government Intervention Tool

[Elderberry]

Breitbart by Lucas Nolan 2 Apr 2023

https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2023/04/02/researcher-twitters-algorithm-reveals-government-intervention-tool/

A developer has discovered a U.S. government intervention option and other insights in Twitter’s recently open sourceed recommendation algorithm.

The Post Millenial reports that on Friday, Twitter released a portion of its recommendation algorithm on GitHub, a website where programmers can share and work together on open-source code. Concerns about possible government influence on the platform were raised when developer Steven Tey examined the code and found a mechanism that permits the U.S. government to alter the Twitter algorithm.

Tey revealed his research on the mechanism for intervention, saying, “When needed, the government can intervene with the Twitter algorithm. In fact, @TwitterEng (Twitter Engineering) even has a class for it – ‘GovernmentRequested.'” Tey also provided a direct link to the code on GitHub for public review.

https://steventey.com/blog/twitter-algorithm#5-the-government-can-interfere-with-the-algorithm

How the Twitter Algorithm works in 2023

On March 31, 2023, Twitter open-sourced their algorithm.

It was a big day for Twitter, and for open-source. The Twitter algorithm is one of the most important parts of the Twitter experience - it determines what you see on your "For You" page, your notifications, and your search results.

Steven Tey
@steventey
6. To put these feedback loops in perspective:

A user clicking on your tweet staying there for >2 min is weighted 22x more than them just liking your tweet

If they click into your profile through your tweet & likes/replies to a tweet? 24x more than a like.

If they reply to your tweet? 54x more than a like.

If they reply to your tweet *and* you respond to their reply? 150x more than a like 🤯

If they report your tweet? -738x the effect of a like (you're basically screwed)

Steven Tey
@steventey·
Mar 31

7. When needed, the government can intervene with the Twitter algorithm.

In fact, @TwitterEng
 even has a class for it – "GovernmentRequested"

[Kamaji]

Well, that effectively makes Twitter an agent of the government, at least for First Amendment purposes, which means that all of their previous bans are potentially subject to attack as a violation of the First Amendment.

[Sighlass]

Some interesting information there... for example, if you buy their blue tag thingy, it gives you a boost in visibility... your follow to followers ratio plays a role... if you report someone's tweet as spam their post takes a big hit... makes me wonder if all of us signed up on twitter and reported leftist stuff as spam if it would make a big difference in their reach (and if leftist are already doing that).

[Smokin Joe]

Some interesting information there... for example, if you buy their blue tag thingy, it gives you a boost in visibility... your follow to followers ratio plays a role... if you report someone's tweet as spam their post takes a big hit... makes me wonder if all of us signed up on twitter and reported leftist stuff as spam if it would make a big difference in their reach (and if leftist are already doing that).