X has announced it will now inform users when their posts have been 'shadowbanned' due to compliance with local laws. This move expands on the company's earlier 'Under the Hood' transparency tool, which lets users see if any labels have affected their visibility. The update also highlights any downranking of posts due to government-required content filtering.

Previously, users had no insight into how their content might be labeled or downranked. Many suspected shadowbans, but now, with the new feature, they can see if their posts have been impacted by legal requirements. The information will be presented in a JSON file, making it accessible even to those who are less technically savvy.

The update follows other transparency measures, such as the open-sourcing of X's 'For You' algorithm and an expansion of its codebase. These actions reflect a push towards greater openness and accountability. However, critics argue that some governments use these laws to suppress political dissent, raising questions about the true intentions behind such moves.

This development comes at a time when social media companies are under increasing pressure to be transparent about their operations. While some see this as a step towards greater accountability, others worry it might backfire, providing governments with more tools to control online discourse.