In a move aimed at curbing spam and unauthorized promotions, X, formerly Twitter, is developing a feature that allows users to disable links in replies to their posts.
Nima Owji, an app researcher known for uncovering upcoming X features, revealed details about the feature through a recent discovery.
According to Owji, users will soon have the option to prevent others from including links in their replies by simply ticking a box. This development aims to enhance user control over interactions on the platform, potentially reducing the impact of spam bots and unauthorized promotional content.
Christopher Stanley, Senior Director for Security Engineering at X, confirmed the feature’s development in response to public inquiries. “My team built this,” Stanley affirmed in a statement, highlighting its potential benefits in combating spam and unauthorized promotions.
While the feature promises to enhance user experience by minimizing spam, there are concerns about its impact on legitimate discourse. Critics point out that disabling links could hinder users from sharing credible sources or debunking misinformation effectively.
This initiative follows previous discoveries by Owji, including X’s experiments with in-app currency to support creators and upcoming ID verification features aimed at combating impersonation.
Additionally, X is exploring initiatives to compete with LinkedIn by introducing job listings from verified organizations.