The company released an update last week allowing users to see which advertisers are targeting them and why – a move designed to increase clarity between the users and the networking service.
Unfortunately for the company, the updates also revealed that Twitter had been assuming the gender of users who hadn’t pre-selected theirs, based on their activity while using the service.
Mashable reports that while it remains unclear as to what exact algorithm Twitter uses to determine a gender, it must rely on some unreliable stereotypes. with users sending out tweets after their incorrect identity was chosen - something that can be highly harmful and negating for trans and genderqueer users.
Twitter made the release on May 17, stating: "Today, we’re announcing a suite of industry-leading tools to give you more access to your information and greater, more granular control over how it’s used".
Anyone wanting to check their own settings can go into the settings on their Twitter profile, followed by the tab ‘your Twitter data’, where you can access information including your assumed sex and age range.
