X may face backlash for slowing down access to competitor links

In recent findings, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has come under scrutiny for intentionally slowing down access to links leading to platforms that Elon Musk may consider competitors.

An analysis conducted by The Markup reveals that X makes users wait approximately two and a half seconds before redirecting them to links associated with Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Substack.

When users click on a link within X, the platform redirects them through its link shortener, t.co. Most websites load within 30 to 40 milliseconds, but Meta's platforms, Bluesky, and Substack take over 60 times longer to load. The Markup has developed a tool that allows users to check the load times for any domain.

This is not the first time X has been accused of throttling competitors. In August, an analysis by The Washington Post unveiled that X had introduced delays for links to other social media sites and news organizations that Elon Musk had publicly criticized. Domains such as The New York Times and Reuters were affected, and users had to wait five seconds to be redirected.

Max von Thun of the Open Markets Institute, an expert in antitrust and competition issues, views X's slowdown as an anti-competitive tactic aimed at undermining rivals and retaining users on its platform. While X does not qualify as a gatekeeper under the EU's Digital Markets Act, von Thun believes that regulators should investigate X for antitrust violations related to link throttling.