Twitter is working on hiding replies

The purpose of all this is apparently to give users more and finer control over their Twitter conversations. Hiding replies would be a less drastic alternative to blocking or muting users.

On Thursday, user Jane Manchun Wong discovered hints of a new feature for hiding tweets in the code of the Twitter app for Android. The code pointed to a moderation feature, and she also found hints that it should probably be possible to make hidden tweets visible. Twitter has initially stated to TechCrunch confirmed that such a feature is being actively worked on. This was followed by a more detailed explanation from Twitter Senior PM Michelle Yasmeen Haq.

"We often hear from tweeters that they want to protect their conversations," she writes. Accordingly, hiding tweets should make it easier for users to keep conversations on Twitter pleasant. The previous options of blocking, muting and reporting are not always suitable for this purpose, it said. Blocking and muting ultimately only affect the one user, while reporting only helps with content that actually violates Twitter's policies. The new feature is supposed to make it possible to hide replies in such a way that other users can show them again if they wish. Overall, this should ensure a better user experience.

Admittedly, the concept of being able to hide answers is itself not without controversy. After the plans became known, voices were quickly raised that feared the feature could be misused to suppress unpopular opinions - for example, that controversial politicians could use the function to hide critical answers or facts that contradict their claims.

"We think the transparency of hidden replies would allow the community to identify situations where people are using the feature to hide content they disagree with," Haq comments. How well this will work in practice remains to be seen. Twitter has not yet commented on when the feature will actually be launched. (pte)