Twitter jumped into the 'stories with 24-hour expiry' bandwagon when it released its own version of Snapchat and Facebook Stories feature, which the microblogging platform called disappearing 'fleets.'
Twitter announced on Tuesday that it has launched globally what it called the disappearing 'fleets,' or tweets that disappear after 24 hours. This feature is similar to Snapchat and Facebook, as well as Instagram, stories.
The microblogging platform has announced in the past its plan for these short-lived tweets, which it dubbed 'fleets.' According to reports, Twitter already tested the feature in some countries, including South Korea, Italy, Brazil, and India. "Some of you tell us that Tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent, and like there's so much pressure to rack up Retweets and Likes," said Twitter's design director Joshua Harris, and its product manager, Sam Haveson, in a blog post.
That thing you didn’t Tweet but wanted to but didn’t but got so close but then were like nah.
We have a place for that now—Fleets!
Rolling out to everyone starting today. pic.twitter.com/auQAHXZMfH — Twitter (@Twitter) November 17, 2020
They also said that since Twitter's disappearing 'fleets' vanish from view after 24 hours, it can help people become more comfortable when they share their casual or personal thoughts, feelings, and opinions. After testing out the feature in selected countries, Twitter launched disappearing 'fleets' globally on Tuesday.
There are some Twitter users, however, who opined that the feature may cause online bullying and harassment instances since it allows the sending of undesirable direct messages. Another cause for worry is that the authors of Twitter's disappearing 'fleets' can tag those who have already blocked them. For its part, Twitter said that while it already launched disappearing 'fleets' globally, they continue to listen to feedback from users and are working on problems like the blocking issue.
Aside from text, users may also include videos and photos on Twitter's disappearing 'fleets.' Like many other social network platforms, the feature will be shown at the top of the home timelines of Twitter users, as well as on the profile of the sender. Before Twitter launched their disappearing 'fleets' globally, the microblogging platform along with other social media network companies, was under immense pressure to be on guard against viral misinformation and abuses on their sites. Liz Kelly, a spokeswoman for Twitter, said that the 'fleets' are covered by the same rules and policies as tweets.
While Twitter just launched disappearing 'fleets' globally, the microblogging platform revealed it is already working on another feature they call 'Spaces.' According to Twitter, 'Spaces,' which is a live audio feature, allows users to speak in public or in group conversations. The microblogging company said it intends to test the feature before the year ends. 'Spaces' is similar to the Clubhouse, a social platform where users receive invitations to speak in voice chat rooms. "Given all of the potential for abuse within audio spaces, we are going to be making it available first to women and historically marginalized communities," Kelly said.
