Elon Musk’s X strips headline from news articles by users

Social media platform X, has stripped headlines from news articles shared by users.

The move by the company owned by South African-born billionaire Elon Musk is likely to further worsen relations with media groups.

Musk said the latest change was for “aesthetic” reasons, with news and other links now appearing only as pictures with no accompanying text.

Despite being announced several months ago, the change was introduced in SA gradually this week.

No more headlines

Instead of seeing a headline along with a picture, users now see only a picture with a small watermark.

The world’s richest man has been making sweeping changes to the popular social media platform, evening changing the name from Twitter to X.

He has also banned, and reinstated, various journalists with mainstream outlets including the Washington Post and CNN, as well as appearing to delay posts from accounts including the New York Times, according to AFP.

“I almost never read legacy news anymore,” Musk posted on Tuesday.

I almost never read legacy news anymore.

What’s the point of reading 1000 words about something that was already posted on 𝕏 several days ago?

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2023

“What’s the point of reading 1,000 words about something that was already posted on X several days ago?”

ALSO READ: Twitter restricts tweets users can see, Elon Musk announces

SEC hearing

Musk took over Twitter last year in a $44bn (R858bn) deal, sacking thousands of staff and drawing criticism for allowing banned conspiracy theorists and extremists back on the platform.

Musk might also have to testify in a case about this purchase of Twitter after an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The case revolves around Musk allegedly breaking federal laws in 2022 when he bought Twitter stock.

The SEC wants a court order issued compelling Musk to give testimony. Musk agreed to appear on the 15th of September, but two days before he raised objections and failed to appear.

The objections include the accusation that the SEC is “harassing” him.

No Aliens

Meanwhile, Elon Musk says there’s no evidence of aliens whatsoever.

“If anyone would know, it would probably be me and I’ve not seen any evidence of aliens.”

“What this perhaps suggests is this tiny candle of consciousness that is humanity is all that exists in a vast darkness. And we should do everything we can to ensure that the candle does not go out,” Musk said.

ALSO READ: 11 African startups chosen for Google’s inaugural AI Accelerator