X, formerly known as Twitter, is making a significant change by making Likes private for other users to see. This update aims to enhance user privacy and shift the focus back to meaningful interactions on the platform. Here’s a breakdown of what this change means for users:

– Users will no longer be able to see the posts that another user has liked.
– The Like count and other metrics related to Likes will still be visible under notifications.
– Post authors will still have access to information about who liked their posts.
– However, other users will not be able to view the activity of other users, promoting a more private experience on the platform.

While some users have expressed concerns about this change, citing the availability of similar features for X Premium subscribers since August 2023, X Engineers believe that this move is necessary to prevent negative behaviors and protect user privacy.

Haofei Wang, X’s director of engineering, explained that public Likes can sometimes lead to unwanted consequences, such as discouraging users from engaging with certain content due to fear of backlash or damage to their public image.

At present, there is no specific timeline for when Likes will become private. Users can still access Likes both on the web and mobile platforms. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving feature from X.