Once a global hub of open discourse and unfiltered expression, X (formerly Twitter) now feels like a ghost of its old self. The platform hasn’t just been rebranded; it has been rewired in ways that disturb even the most casual users. The decline isn’t just aesthetic or functional. It’s ideological. The platform now shows patterns of blatant bias, algorithmic manipulation, and increasingly selective moderation. And it’s hard not to wonder who exactly it’s trying to serve.
Biased Algorithms and Skewed Realities
At the heart of X’s issue lies its algorithm, a system that appears to tilt narratives rather than balance them. In recent months, users have observed that some topics are amplified while others are quietly buried. One major concern is X’s AI assistant, Grok. While promoted as a helpful summarizer and fact-checker, Grok often refuses to verify news that contradicts dominant narratives, especially when those narratives are politically sensitive.
A glaring example is the recent escalation between Pakistan and India. After an alleged missile incident along the Line of Control, Indian media outlets and social media accounts rapidly circulated exaggerated or completely false claims, such as Pakistan having fired first or having suffered heavy casualties. Despite the lack of credible sources, these tweets went unchecked. No community notes. No Grok disclaimers. Just blind amplification.
On the other hand, Pakistani journalists and analysts who posted verified updates, satellite images, or on-ground footage saw their tweets either suppressed or “unverifiable” according to Grok. Community Notes, which are supposed to correct misinformation, appeared only under Pakistani tweets, often ones that were actually accurate. The imbalance was so obvious that many users questioned whether the platform was being manipulated from within or if this was the result of algorithmic favoritism coded into the system.
Engagement Farming Has Killed the Conversation
The rise of engagement farming, particularly from Indian and Nigerian accounts, has further diluted the platform’s purpose. Timelines are now clogged with clickbait polls, emotional bait, and shallow viral content. Many of these accounts are part of networks designed purely to game the algorithm. This isn’t about user activity anymore. It’s industrial-level manipulation for visibility. The authentic flavor of conversation on X, once its strongest asset, has been drowned in a flood of synthetic virality.
Propaganda Disguised as Platform Neutrality
Perhaps the most unsettling trend is X’s transformation into a propaganda machine. The platform no longer feels neutral. Whether it’s the selective enforcement of community guidelines or the strange immunity granted to certain geopolitical narratives, it’s increasingly clear that X serves particular interests.
One cannot ignore the preferential treatment Indian content seems to receive, especially in political or military contexts. During the recent Pakistan-India incident, the silence of Community Notes on Indian fake news was deafening. This raises serious questions about whether these omissions are accidental or intentional. With Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in global affairs and growing admiration for India’s tech market, it’s not a leap to assume that X is becoming tailored for specific audiences, even if that comes at the cost of truth.
A Platform in Decline
X was once a rare thing, a space where voices from Islamabad to Istanbul could challenge mainstream narratives. It allowed small accounts to hold powerful voices accountable, spark debates, and break news in real time. That spirit is fading fast.
In its current state, X feels less like a platform for humanity and more like a loudspeaker for Elon Musk’s ambitions and the audiences he chooses to favor. The open bias, unchecked misinformation, and growing hostility toward balanced conversation are not just disappointing. They’re dangerous.
If this is the future of public discourse, then it’s not just Pakistan or any one country that loses. It’s everyone.
