Fleets: Twitter launches tool for tweets that disappear around the world | Twitter



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Twitter has launched a new feature around the world called ‘fleets’ – Tweets that disappear after 24 hours, similar to the Stories feature on Snapchat and Instagram.

Twitter has previously announced its plan for these short-lived tweets, called “fleets,” and has tested the feature in Brazil, Italy, India, and South Korea.

“Some of you tell us that tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent, and like there’s a lot of pressure to rack up retweets and likes,” wrote Twitter design director Joshua Harris and product manager, Sam Haveson, in a blog post.

“Because they disappear from sight after a day, the fleets helped people feel more comfortable by sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions and feelings.”

Some Twitter users who experimented with the tool said it created troubling opportunities for online bullying, such as allowing unwanted direct messages. It also allowed the authors of the fleet to tag the people who had blocked them. Twitter said it was listening to comments and working on solutions for such security issues.

Fleets can include text, photos, and videos. They will be available at the top of users’ login timelines on Twitter and in the sender’s profile.

Twitter and other social media companies are under pressure to improve police abuse and viral misinformation. Twitter spokeswoman Liz Kelley said fleets are subject to the same rules as tweets.

Kelley said the warnings or labels, which Twitter has begun applying to content such as manipulated media and misinformation about civic processes or Covid-19, could apply to fleets.

Twitter also confirmed that it was working on a live audio feature, called Spaces, which it was aiming to test soon. The feature would allow users to speak in public group conversations. It has similarities to Clubhouse, a social platform that uses voice chat rooms.

“Given all the potential for abuse within audio spaces, we will make it available first to women and historically underserved communities,” Kelley said.

Twitter earlier this year launched a feature for users to tweet recorded voice memos.

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