Elon Musk’s social media platform X has made its advice algorithm publicly obtainable on GitHub, marking one of many first instances a serious social community has disclosed the way it decides what customers see of their feeds.
The transfer comes as the corporate faces mounting strain from regulators worldwide over content material moderation, synthetic intelligence security, and cryptocurrency-related exercise.
On January 10, 2026, Musk introduced the algorithm can be open-sourced inside seven days. The code was launched on January 20, with X’s engineering division confirming “We open-sourced our new X algorithm” via the corporate’s official accounts. Musk promised to replace the code each 4 weeks with detailed developer notes explaining what modified.
How the Algorithm Works
The newly launched code reveals refined machine studying fashions that decide content material visibility on the platform. The algorithm makes use of transformer-based structure powered by xAI’s Grok AI mannequin, written primarily in Rust and Python. It processes over 100 million posts day by day to slim down roughly 1,500 extremely related posts for every consumer’s “For You” feed.
In contrast to earlier programs that relied on manually set guidelines, X’s algorithm now makes use of end-to-end machine studying. It analyzes consumer habits together with likes, reposts, and viewing time to foretell what content material will generate probably the most engagement. The system additionally introduces “promptable” feeds, permitting customers to enter pure language instructions like “Present me extra tech improvements, much less politics” to customise their expertise.
Supply: @elonmusk
The GitHub repository comprises the code that determines each natural publish rankings and promoting suggestions, fulfilling Musk’s promise of full transparency for the platform’s content material choice course of.
Regulatory Strain Mounts
The algorithm launch comes throughout intense scrutiny from European authorities. On December 5, 2025, the European Union fined X €120 million ($140 million) for violating Digital Companies Act transparency necessities. The fantastic focused the platform’s “blue checkmark” subscription mannequin and its lack of transparency relating to the advert repository.
The EU additionally prolonged a retention order requiring X to protect all paperwork associated to its algorithms and dealing with of unlawful content material via the tip of 2026. French prosecutors launched an investigation in July 2025 into alleged algorithm abuse and fraudulent information extraction. X known as the French probe “politically-motivated” and argued it threatens free speech on the platform.
Cryptocurrency Content material Controversy
A significant concern emerged across the algorithm’s remedy of cryptocurrency content material. CryptoQuant founder Ki Younger Ju reported that on January 9, 2026, the platform noticed 7.75 million crypto-related posts in a single day—a 1,224% improve in comparison with regular exercise ranges. Most of this surge got here from AI-generated bot spam.
The flood of automated posts compelled X’s algorithm to deal with all crypto content material as suspicious, even from official customers. Crypto entrepreneur Lisa Edwards reported {that a} December 2025 algorithm replace induced posts containing cryptocurrency tickers like $BTC or $ETH to set off diminished visibility. Frequent crypto phrases similar to “to the moon” and “100x” have been being flagged as spam, with some posts buried for weeks.
Many crypto content material creators reported their attain dropping by 80% in a single day. Technical evaluation and worth charts—core content material for crypto merchants—noticed huge visibility reductions. X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier argued that crypto customers have been losing their day by day attain with low-value posts like repeated “gm” (good morning) replies. The crypto group strongly disagreed, accusing X of intentionally suppressing official cryptocurrency content material.
Grok AI Deepfake Disaster
The algorithm launch coincided with a world disaster involving Grok, X’s AI chatbot. The instrument’s picture modifying characteristic allowed customers to generate non-consensual sexualized photographs of girls and minors. Content material evaluation agency Copyleaks reported Grok was producing roughly one non-consensual sexualized picture per minute, every posted on to X.
The controversy sparked fast motion from governments worldwide. Indonesia and Malaysia turned the primary international locations to dam Grok totally in January 2026. The European Fee ordered X to retain all Grok-related paperwork till the tip of 2026. UK regulator Ofcom launched a proper investigation, warning that X might face a ban or multimillion-pound fantastic. India ordered a complete evaluate, whereas France expanded its investigation to incorporate Grok-generated youngster sexual abuse materials.
California Lawyer Common Rob Bonta despatched a letter demanding xAI instantly cease sharing sexual deepfakes, stating the content material violated state legal guidelines associated to public decency and a brand new “deepfake” pornography regulation that took impact January 1, 2026.
Questions About Lengthy-Time period Dedication
Whereas the algorithm launch represents a big transparency transfer, skepticism stays about X’s dedication to sustaining the code. In March 2023, X (then Twitter) revealed algorithm code on GitHub however by no means up to date it regardless of making quite a few adjustments to the system over time. Equally, xAI launched Grok-1’s code in 2024 however hasn’t up to date the repository in practically two years, despite the fact that the corporate now operates Grok-3.
The present algorithm repository’s usefulness relies upon totally on whether or not X follows via with promised month-to-month updates. With out common upkeep, the code might rapidly change into out of date like earlier open-source makes an attempt.
The Transparency Gambit
X’s open-sourcing effort exams whether or not radical transparency can coexist with algorithmic management of social media. By exposing the code, X invitations exterior audits and doubtlessly units a precedent for rivals. Nonetheless, the corporate should steadiness this openness with ongoing regulatory challenges, crypto group issues, and the Grok AI security disaster.
The approaching months will reveal whether or not this transparency initiative represents real accountability or just one other unfulfilled promise within the quickly evolving panorama of social media governance.