Elon Musk to Open-Source X Algorithm Within Seven Days

Elon Musk has announced that X (formerly Twitter) will make its recommendation algorithm open source within the next seven days, a move he says is aimed at improving transparency and rebuilding trust on the platform.

Musk made the disclosure in a post on X, stating that the company will release the code behind its new algorithm, which determines how posts — including organic content and advertisements — are ranked and shown to users. He added that X plans to publish detailed developer notes explaining how the system works and that future updates to the algorithm would also be released on a regular basis If implemented fully, the move would mark one of the most significant transparency steps ever taken by a major social media platform. Recommendation algorithms are typically treated as closely guarded intellectual property, as they shape user engagement, advertising revenue, and public discourse The announcement comes amid growing regulatory and public scrutiny of X’s content moderation and recommendation systems, particularly in Europe, where regulators have increased pressure on large technology platforms to explain how their algorithms amplify content. Analysts say open-sourcing the algorithm could help researchers, developers, and regulators better understand how information spreads on the platform However, the pledge has also been met with cautious optimism. Musk has previously promised to open-source parts of X’s algorithm and other technologies, though critics note that past releases were sometimes limited, outdated, or lacked sufficient documentation to allow full independent review Technology experts argue that while releasing code is a major step, true transparency will depend on whether the algorithm shared is complete, regularly updated, and reflective of what actually runs on the platform in real time X has not yet published a detailed timeline or confirmed where the code will be hosted, but developers and digital rights groups say the next seven days will be crucial in determining whether the company follows through on the pledge For now, the announcement has reignited global debate about algorithmic transparency, platform accountability, and the role of social media in shaping public conversation.