Elon Musk warns that Twitter is manipulating its users

Elon Musk on Saturday instructed users on how to "fix" their Twitter feeds and said they are being "manipulated" by the platform's algorithm.

Musk, who announced Friday that his deal to purchase Twitter is on hold, posted the following day:

"Very important to fix your Twitter feed:

1. Tap home button.
2. Tap stars on upper right of screen.
3. Select 'Latest tweets'.

You are being manipulated by the algorithm in ways you don’t realize. Easy to switch back & forth to see the difference."

He jokingly added that his warning was brought to users "by the Illuminaughty."

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who has voiced support for Musk's potential takeover of the platform, explained the practice in a reply to the Tesla CEO.

Dorsey said that "it was designed simply to save you time when you are away from app for a while."

He added, "[I]t wasn’t designed to manipulate. [I]t was designed to catch you up and work off what you engage with. [T]hat can [definitely] have unintended consequences [though]." 

Dorsey acknowledged that Twitter doesn't "make it easy" for users to determine whether to use the algorithm or not.

Lawmakers across the United States have proposed legislation to regulate algorithms on social media platforms, such as Twitter. Many of the bills focus on protecting children online.