Tesla CEO Elon Musk has argued that Twitter’s algorithm should be open-sourced after making news with a $43 billion all-cash deal to buy the microblogging service.
During a TED Talks event, the billionaire software entrepreneur, who owns over 9% of Twitter, said that the network has become a de facto town square.
“It’s just extremely essential that people have both the reality and the impression that they can communicate freely within the confines of the law,” Musk said, adding, “It’s just really important that people have both the fact and the idea that they can speak freely within the bounds of the law.”
Musk’s “best and final” bid had caught the media platform by storm, igniting a sort of gung ho over Twitter control.
“One of the things I think Twitter should do is open-source the algorithm and make any changes to people’s tweets obvious, such as if they are emphasised or de-emphasis. So that anyone can see that something has been done, “On TED Talks, he stated.
“As a result, there’s no algorithmic or manual manipulation going on behind the scenes.”
Musk’s Twitter offer comes only days after he was denied a seat on the board of directors despite being the company’s largest shareholder. On Thursday, he proposed $54.20 a share in a letter to Twitter Chairman Bret Taylor, saying the firm has “extraordinary potential” that he will “unlock.”
“Twitter needs to be turned into a private corporation,” he stated, adding that if his “best and final offer” is rejected, he will have to reevaluate his position as a shareholder.
