Staying safe on X (formerly Twitter)

What is X (formerly Twitter)?

X, previously known as Twitter, is an online platform where users can share short posts often known as tweets. These posts are used for communication and sharing news. Other users can interact by replying or reposting, depending on privacy settings.

Privacy on X

When you create an account on X, it starts as a public account, meaning anyone can view or interact with your posts. Remember, your profile information like name, picture, biography, and location is always public, but you don’t have to share your real name.

You can choose to add your birthdate to your profile and decide its visibility - we recommend setting it up so only you can see it. Learn how to manage your birthdate visibility(https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/birthday-visibility-settings).

To enhance your privacy, you can 'protect your posts,' which means:

• You receive follow requests that you can accept or decline.
• Only your followers can view your posts.
• Followers can’t repost your content using the repost icon.
• Your posts won’t appear in search engine results.
• Only you and your followers can search your posts on X.
• Replies to accounts that don’t follow you won’t be seen by those accounts.

Learn how to protect your posts on X(https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/how-to-make-x-private-and-public#:~:text=In%20the%20top%20menu%2C%20tap,icon%20or%20your%20profile%20icon.).

Security on X

Netsafe recommends the following steps to secure your account:

• Use a secure password or passphrase.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication(https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/two-factor-authentication#:~:text=From%20the%20main%20menu%2C%20tap,Tap%20Security.&text=Tap%20Two%2Dfactor%20authentication.) for an extra layer of security.
• Ensure your email and phone number are set up for password recovery.
• If you suspect your account is compromised, check and take action(https://help.x.com/en/safety-and-security/x-account-compromised).

Engaging on X

• If your posts aren’t protected, replies you send are visible, but only to followers and participants in the conversation.
• You can choose to hide replies to your posts. Note that hidden replies are still viewable by others unless your account is protected.
• Currently, only you can see your likes on posts.

Think before you post

Once something is posted online, it’s challenging to delete or remove it before others see it. Consider if you’d be comfortable saying what you are about to post to the person face to face.

If someone posts something about you that you dislike, consider asking them to delete it - if it is safe to do so.

Safety features

X offers the following features to help you stay safe:

• Unfollow: Stop seeing someone’s posts by unfollowing them. Learn how to unfollow(https://help.x.com/en/using-x/common-following-issues#:~:text=Sign%20in%20to%20X%20and,removed%20from%20your%20following%20list.).
• Filter notifications: Remove unwanted replies or mentions. Learn how to filter notifications.(https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/understanding-the-notifications-timeline)
• Show less often: Mark posts to see fewer similar posts. Accessible via the three horizontal dots within a post.
• Mute accounts: Stop seeing posts from specific accounts without unfollowing them. Accessible via the three horizontal dots within a post.
• Block accounts: Prevent another user from engaging with you. Learn more about blocking .How to block(https://help.x.com/en/using-x/blocking-and-unblocking-accounts#:~:text=Go%20to%20the%20profile%20page,Select%20Block%20from%20the%20menu.&text=Click%20Block%20to%20confirm.).
• Report violations: Report posts or accounts violating X's Rules or Terms of Service here(https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/x-report-violation).

If you're experiencing online abuse, fallen victim to a scam, or need some advice about another online issue, Netsafe is here to support you.

Our helpline is free, confidential and non-judgmental - providing expert advice and assistance seven days a week.

Report online (https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/new)Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])Text 'Netsafe' to 4282 (sms:4282?body=Netsafe)Live chat support Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends (tel:0508638723)New Zealanders overseas can call +64 9 666 0840 (tel:+6496660840)