In an unexpected turn of events, most photos uploaded to X, the social media platform once called Twitter, between 2011 and 2014 have seemingly vanished. The issue was first brought to light on August 19 by X user @tomcoates, leading to a whirlpool of reactions from users worldwide.
Tomcoates was the first to notice that images from this period were replaced by broken short-links, looping users back to the original post. Interestingly, videos remained untouched, as the platform only added support for videos in 2016.
One famous missing photo is Ellen DeGeneres’ star-studded selfie from the 2014 Oscars, which at one time became the most retweeted post on the site.
According to a Community Note (X’s fact-checking tool), the photos are not lost but rather suffer from broken links on the platform. They remain on X’s servers and are accessible through specific links to the in-house image hosting service, twimg.
It is important to note that not all photos from the mentioned period have been affected. A 2012 post from former US President Barack Obama, for example, still showcases its original image.
The discovery comes on the heels of a controversial announcement by X’s owner, Elon Musk, regarding the removal of the “block” feature on the platform. Many users are questioning the timing and nature of the photo disappearance.
As of now, the mystery of the missing photos remains unresolved. The platform has not issued an official statement regarding the matter, leaving users in the dark and sparking debates across social media.
Whether a mere glitch or a sign of something more concerning, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of digital content and our dependence on tech giants for its preservation.
This news story is based on the article found on thestar.com.my.
