On X (formerly Twitter), my following count dropped drastically overnight—from 164 to 121. That’s 43 profiles suddenly gone, not just from my followers but also from my following list. Yesterday, we changed our profile photo, which removed our blue check mark. X then reviewed the profile and did exactly what we expected they would do. When we searched for those profiles, they were still active and visible on the platform. This isn’t a coincidence or a glitch; it’s a sign of deliberate interference. It’s ridiculous.
The Problem
- Profiles Disappeared from Lists:
- These were accounts I chose to follow, and many followed me back. They haven’t deactivated or been suspended; they’re still searchable and active on X. Yet they’ve been removed from both my followers and following lists.
- No Notification or Explanation:
- There was no alert from X about these profiles being unfollowed or removed. It’s as if these connections were erased without my consent or awareness.
- All at Once:
- The fact that this happened overnight and affected 45 profiles simultaneously points to an intentional action by X, not random user behavior.
Censorship or Manipulation?
The removal of accounts from follower and following lists is more than just an annoyance—it’s a deliberate disruption of user connections. Here’s why this matters:
- Control Over Visibility:
- By removing profiles from followers and following lists, X effectively limits the reach and visibility of those accounts. This undermines organic engagement.
- Shadow Manipulation:
- This tactic mirrors shadow banning, where users and their content are made less visible without outright suspensions. It’s a quiet, insidious form of censorship.
- Data Integrity Questioned:
- Users rely on accurate follower and following lists to build communities and maintain connections. This type of interference erodes trust in the platform’s integrity.
Why It Matters
- User Consent Ignored:
- My choice to follow these accounts—and their choice to follow me—was overridden by X. This is a violation of the basic user expectation that connections on social platforms are mutual and respected.
- Impact on Reach and Growth:
- If X is manipulating follower and following lists, it directly impacts creators, brands, and users who rely on these metrics for visibility and growth.
- Lack of Transparency:
- X offers no explanation for these changes, leaving users in the dark about why connections are being severed.
What Needs to Change
- Demand Transparency:
- X must clarify why profiles are being removed from follower and following lists without user consent or notification.
- Hold Platforms Accountable:
- Users should not tolerate manipulation of their connections. Public pressure and legal challenges may be necessary to ensure transparency and fairness.
- Monitor for Patterns:
- This isn’t an isolated incident. If X is engaging in widespread manipulation, users need to document and expose these practices.
Conclusion
The disappearance of 43 profiles from my follower and following lists isn’t just a glitch—it’s a deliberate action by X to interfere with user connections. This raises serious questions about the platform’s transparency and trustworthiness. As users, we must demand accountability and fight against the quiet erosion of our digital communities.
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I have similar challenges on X. In my country, Belgium, a lot of X accounts are leaving for Blue Sky. Thousands of them.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Veronique. It’s concerning to hear that many in Belgium are leaving X for Bluesky due to similar challenges. I’m glad people are noticing. This trend reflects a broader dissatisfaction with current social media platforms. The migration to alternatives like Bluesky highlights the need for spaces that prioritize user control and free expression. It’s a significant shift in the digital landscape, and I appreciate you bringing this to light.
We did join Bluesky as well: @therealistjug.bsky.social 😎
Update: I had to come back to this reply because I didn’t realize my autocorrect added another person’s name earlier—well, because before your comment, I had commented on someone else’s. Apologies for the mix-up!
No worries, John. Thanks for your reply.
You’re welcome! 😎
I’m afraid that’s how it is on social media. While I understand the need for security from terrorism and other anti-society content, freedom of speech and action is indeed being eroded. I once more fell foul of the largest online retailer last week through the innocent use of a word that their bots consider profane. It isn’t, but they consider it to be, and I’m censored and censured therefore. I now find myself having to think carefully about the vocabulary I use in a simple book review, and that’s wrong. The platform you mention has been toxic for some time anyway, but everything’s moving in the same direction. We try to fight it, but it’s so hard. 🤨😐
Thank you for sharing your experience, Laura. I’m so sorry you had to go through that—it’s frustrating and unfair to be censored over something as innocent as a word in a book review. It’s a shame how automated systems often miss the mark, targeting harmless content while failing to address real issues.
You’re right, though—it feels like many platforms are heading in the same restrictive direction, and it’s disheartening. But I truly admire your determination to keep going despite how hard it is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope you have a great day. 😎
You too, and best of luck with yourr efforts. However it’s painted it’s censorship, and ought to worry us. Thank goodness for people like you, who get your teeth into the issues and don’t let go until they meet. 🙂
Thank you very much, Laura! I truly appreciate your kind words and support. You’re absolutely right—censorship, no matter how it’s framed, is something we should all be deeply concerned about. It means a lot to know there are people like you who recognize the importance of standing firm on these issues. Thanks again, and I hope you have a great night. 😎
You too – and keep on standing firm. 🙂