Twitter’s Audio Spaces Beta: A Closer Look at the Clubhouse Compe*****
Earlier this month, Twitter announced its upcoming test of Audio Spaces, a live audio chat feature designed to rival platforms like Clubhouse. While initial details were sparse, reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong has uncovered exciting new insights into the feature’s functionality through app code exploration.
Key Features of Twitter’s Audio Spaces
Here’s what we know about Audio Spaces based on Wong’s findings:
- Flexible Participation Controls: Users can configure who joins conversations (open to all, followers only, or invite-only)
- Multiple Invitation Methods: Share via direct message, tweet, or copyable link
- Reaction Emojis: 💯✋✊✌️👋 for real-time feedback
- Dynamic Speaker Management: Hosts can adjust speaking permissions mid-conversation
- Transcript Availability: Automatic chat transcriptions (a unique differentiator)
- Reporting System: Users can flag inappropriate content across multiple categories
- Feedback Channel: Direct messaging to @TwitterSpaces for beta testers
Moderation and Safety Features
Twitter appears to be addressing platform safety concerns head-on with several innovative approaches:
- Transcripts as Moderation Tool: While primarily for accessibility, the transcription feature may deter toxic behavior by creating a written record.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Categories include self-harm, violence, sexual content, child safety, private information, and abusive behavior.
- Controlled Beta Testing: Initial testing focuses on groups historically vulnerable to online abuse.
Technical Backend
Interestingly, Audio Spaces utilizes Periscope’s infrastructure, requiring users to maintain a Periscope connection for functionality. This suggests Twitter is leveraging existing technologies to accelerate development.
The Moderation Challenge
Twitter faces significant challenges in moderating live audio content, as demonstrated by compe*****s’ struggles with:
- Harassment incidents
- Hate speech
- Unregulated conversations
The platform’s historical difficulties with text-based moderation make audio moderation an even greater test of Twitter’s systems and policies.
Availability and Next Steps
Twitter plans to launch Audio Spaces to a limited beta group initially, prioritizing women and marginalized communities who frequently encounter platform abuse. A company spokesperson stated: “We’ll have more to share on Spaces closer to the public beta experiment launch.”
Image credits: Jane Manchun Wong
As Twitter ventures into live audio social networking, its success may hinge on balancing open conversation with effective moderation—a challenge that will define this new feature’s future.
