Twitter has recently confirmed that a security error led to Circle tweets, which are meant for a select group of trusted friends, being made public. In an email sent to users, the social media giant admitted that between April 2023 and May 2023, an incident may have allowed non-circle members to view tweets that should have been limited only to specific Circles.
The platform's Circle feature enables users to create smaller groups of trusted friends or followers within their larger following. This allows them to share more personal or sensitive information with a restricted audience. However, the security error potentially exposed this private content to the public eye.
According to Twitter's email, the bug has now been fixed and they have identified what caused it. They also assured users that they would continue working on improving the safety and privacy of their platform. However, the company did not provide further details on how many users were affected by this incident or whether any unauthorized individuals accessed sensitive information through it.
This security lapse is concerning for Twitter users who trust the platform with their private content and communication. The company has faced multiple privacy and security-related issues in recent years, such as high-profile account hacks and data breaches. In July 2020, for example, several prominent accounts including Elon Musk's and Barack Obama's were compromised in a Bitcoin scam.
Despite Twitter's assurance that they have fixed the bug and are taking steps toward improving user privacy, this incident serves as a reminder for users to be cautious about what they share online – even within seemingly private spaces like Circle tweets – as unforeseen errors can inadvertently expose sensitive information.