X, formerly known as Twitter, has reportedly been intentionally slowing down access to links for its users. The delay was observed when clicking on links to news outlets and competitors, such as the New York Times and Facebook. Analysis conducted by The Washington Post discovered that it took around five seconds for the page to load after clicking on these links. The slowdown also affected websites linked to Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Substack, and Reuters. This intentional throttling of websites could have negative consequences for user engagement and ad revenue. However, as of late Tuesday afternoon, it appears that X has eliminated the delay. When asked for comment, X confirmed the removal but did not provide further details. The Washington Post has reached out to X for more information.
According to a user on Hacker News, X began delaying links to the New York Times on August 4. This delay coincided with owner Elon Musk’s criticism of the publication’s coverage of South Africa. Musk, who considers himself a “free speech absolutist,” has been vocal about his dislike for the New York Times, describing it as “propaganda” and the “Twitter equivalent of diarrhea.”
It is worth noting that Facebook and Instagram are owned by Meta Platforms Inc, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Both Zuckerberg and Musk have been playfully poking at each other, even agreeing to a mixed martial arts cage match. In an analysis by The Washington Post, it was found that users clicking on a link to Facebook experienced a delay of approximately five seconds. The blame for the fight being delayed has been tossed between the two billionaires. Additionally, Zuckerberg has tried to enter the micro-blogging space with his app, Threads, which initially gained popularity but has since declined.
Bluesky, an app similar to X, was founded by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter. Dorsey publicly endorsed Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and remains on the board of X. However, lately, Dorsey has expressed criticism of Musk’s management of the platform. Substack, a subscription-based newsletter service funded by venture capitalists, was involved in a feud with Musk earlier this year. X began suppressing links to Substack after it introduced a similar feature called Notes, which was seen as a potential threat by Musk. This resulted in Matt Taibbi, a Musk ally, abandoning X and moving his successful newsletter to Substack.
The New York Times, along with Substack, have reported that their links were also throttled by X. The New York Times spokesperson expressed concern over the targeted pressure on news organizations without clear reasons. Substack’s co-founders released a statement criticizing social media companies for their hostile behavior towards writers and their audiences. Reuters has stated that they are looking into the reported delay in opening links to their stories on X. Neither Bluesky nor Meta immediately responded to requests for comment.
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