Twitter is now testing a feature that lets users choose who can and cannot reply to Tweets. A feature like this has been discussed before, but this appears to be a fairly significant step in rolling it out, and could potentially (and significantly) change how people use the micro-blogging platform in the future.
Twitter as a platform is largely considered a free-for-all. This approach makes it super easy for anyone to engage with anyone else, as long as they see the Tweet in some form to begin with. However, with the increase in Twitter being used as a platform for abusive content, the company has been looking at ways in which users can better protect themselves and the latest appears to be private, but also public, conversations.
In a Tweet, Twitter confirmed it is now starting to test a feature where users can send out a Tweet, mention some people in the message and select an option that means only those people mentioned can respond to the original Tweet. Importantly, this is different to a direct message or private chat, as the Tweets are still in the public Twitter domain, and people can even like them. They just cannot respond to them.
A Positive, But Worrying Feature
The benefits of this feature largely depend on the Twitter viewpoint taken. For example, there’s no doubt that the platform has become more of a hotbed for abuse and personal attacks and choosing to limit who can respond to a Tweet will undoubtedly reduce the likelihood of this happening. However, this does limit the ability for people to respond in general. For example, if everyone opted to use the feature, then Twitter as it is currently known, would largely cease to exist. Furthermore, this could prove problematic for other reasons, including increasing the way personal attacks are utilized on the platform. As an example, anyone would be free to post what they want about someone else and ensure the person or group has no ability to respond directly, offer any counter-points, or just tag anyone, including Twitter, to bring awareness to the Tweet.
Twitter has always prided itself on being where ‘the conversation’ happens but this feature seems like it could be yet another way to limit how conversations happen in general. While no one should be forced to deal with personal attacks or abuse on the platform, that’s an issue of moderation that Twitter needs to deal with. Using features like this, could eventually, and radically, change Twitter if they become widespread enough. Although, right now it remains to be seen if it will even become a feature, considering Twitter is testing the new replies format with a limited number of users, with no guarantee that it will become available to all.
