Mark Cuban’s Challenge to Musk: Post X Algorithm’s Source Code

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has requested that Elon Musk make the source code for X’s algorithm, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, available to the public.

On Saturday, Elon Musk announced on Twitter that he and his team are actively working on showcasing more high-quality content from smaller accounts. He expressed concern about their current algorithm, which primarily highlights content from larger accounts. Despite this, Mark Cuban proposed an alternative solution to Musk.

In his Sunday X post to Musk, he asked, “Can you share the expected algorithm source code before implementing them? This will allow users to provide feedback.”

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The entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner, known for his role on Shark Tank, insisted that if Musk was unable to disclose the algorithm’s code, he could at least explain how X determines the significance of posts. The individual had previously expressed interest in having popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee appear on an episode of Shark Tank.

“Can you provide information on how you plan to assess Reputation, Relevancy, and Similarity? This will allow users to give overall feedback. However, it is also within your rights to define these criteria on your own.”

@elonmusk Can you post the expected algorithm source code, before you implement them? So users can give feedback? Or at least details on how you will determine Reputation, Relevancy and Similarity? Again, so users can offer general feedback? Unless of course you want to… https://t.co/MVKZdLKsOG

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 25, 2024

Despite Cuban’s request, Musk did not respond. However, his supporters argued that other social media platforms should also be questioned. Cuban responded to one commentator, asking, “Which other platforms have their CEO publicly discuss politics and personally attack their users?”

Cuban has previously voiced his concerns about X’s algorithm, stating on “The Daily Show”with Jon Stewart that Musk may have altered the algorithm to suit his own preferences. The interview was broadcasted on August 12.

Our algorithm is open source, unlike the other platforms! Furthermore, if you engage in debates and confrontations with right-wing accounts, similar to what Cuban does frequently, the algorithm will interpret that as your intended preference and provide you with more of it, as humorously pointed out by Musk in his response on an X post.