How to Change Privacy Settings on Twitter in 5 Steps

A popular social networking site, Twitter lets you share your thoughts with fellow Tweeps. Every tweet is public by default. In other words, everyone can view what you post. Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter, he has contemplated making policy changes to help you reconsider how you interact with the platform.

If you prefer greater privacy, you can modify your Twitter settings only to let your followers see your posts. This feature is known as protected tweets. It gives you more control over your posts as you directly approve your followers. You can control the tweets that others can view. On iOS devices, you can disable sensitive content even without setting the account to private. You can also achieve this by turning off the tweets’ sensitive content alert.

Your privacy preferences significantly impact the subjects and trends in your feed and what you view on the platform. You can configure direct messages, tweets, topics, and content preferences in the privacy and safety section. Our detailed guide shows you how to change privacy settings on Twitter.

Method One: Change Twitter Privacy and Settings on a Browser

Follow the steps below to change your privacy settings on your PC.

Step 1: Sign into your Twitter Account

*Enter your username and password to access your account.*

Step 2: Go to Settings

After logging on to your account, click the three dots (more) in the bottom left corner of your sidebar.

*Settings is accessible from the More section on the left sidebar.*

Click Settings and Support to launch the drop-down menu on the secondary menu, then click on Settings and Privacy.

*Settings allow you to configure security, safety, notifications and more.*

Step 3: Click Privacy and Safety

On the subsequent menu, click Privacy and Safety to manage the information you can see and share on Twitter.

Step 4: Click Audience and Tagging

*On your Twitter activity menu, you can view engagements and clicks.*

Step 5: Click on Protect your Tweets

This is where you select who views your account information by clicking the checkbox next to Protect your Tweets.

Step 6: Click protect to confirm your decision

*Your followers will now be the only people able to see your tweets.*

Step 7: Photo Tagging Preference

Click Photo Tagging and toggle the button to the right to allow anyone to tag you in their photos.

*You can choose **Only people you follow can tag you** if you prefer to be tagged by the people you follow only.*

That’s it! You’re good to go. Now your settings are set as per your preferences.

Method Two: Change Twitter Privacy and Settings on the Mobile App

Changing your privacy settings on the mobile app slightly differs from doing it on the browser. Follow the steps below to access and change your preferences.

Step 1: Tap the Twitter App

Tap the Twitter app on your device’s app menu to launch Twitter.

*Twitter app is accessible on your home screen.*

Step 2: Click on Your Twitter Profile

*The profile icon is in the top-left corner of the screen. Tap on it to access the profile menu.*

Step 3: Select Settings and Privacy

*On the profile menu, scroll down to the second last option, **Settings and Privacy,** and select it.*

Step 4: Go to Privacy and Safety

*Under **Privacy and Safety**, you can manage the content you see and share on Twitter.*

Step 5: Change your Settings

On Your Twitter Activity page, select Audience and tagging to proceed to the next page.

*Audience and Tagging lets you manage the information other Twitter users can see.*

Step 6: Protect Your Tweets

Toggle the swipe button to the right to activate the Protect your Tweets feature.

*Now only people you approve and followers will see your tweets.*

The photo tagging option automatically turns off when you toggle on Protect your tweets.

Other Privacy and Settings You Can Change on Twitter

There are other settings you can change on Your Twitter Activity page. These include;

Your Tweets

You can edit your tweets and mark them as sensitive in this section. It’s always a good idea to label your content as sensitive when uploading content such as violence, nudity, or other material that can be termed sensitive.

Content You See

Mute and Block

*Still, under **Privacy and Safety**, you can manage words, notifications, and accounts that you have blocked or muted.*

Direct Messages

Here, you get to decide whether to allow message requests from anyone.

*To reply to messages from people you don’t follow, you have to toggle on this setting.*

You can also let the people you exchange messages know when you read them. Just toggle the Send read receipts to turn on the setting.

Ads Preferences

Twitter is not averse to sharing your information and browsing activities with its commercial partners. When you visit a website with a Twitter share button or embedded tweet, it collects your details and transmits that data to assist show targeted adverts on your feed.

To prevent Twitter from sharing your info with advertisers, from your Privacy and Safety menu, scroll down to Select Ads Preferences. A toggle option to turn off all customization and data settings is at the top.

*Both the mobile and web versions of Twitter allow you to configure ad preferences.*

Location Information

Suppose you want to edit location information that Twitter uses based on where you have been or your precise location; scroll down to the Location information on Your Twitter activity page. Toggle the swipe buttons to set your preferences.

*When you turn off this setting, Twitter will no longer use your phone’s GPS to customize the ads it shows.*

Changing your Twitter privacy settings only takes a few minutes, and you can freely engage in discussions as you explore the platform further. The good thing about Twitter is that it gives you complete control over what you can see. It also lets you decide who can read your content, which is quite cool. Just change your settings to suit your preferences and enjoy as you tweet.

How to Change Privacy Settings on Twitter in 5 Steps FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What does Twitter consider sensitive material?

Sensitive content includes videos, images, violence, nudity, and adult-themed content. According to Twitter’s sensitive media policy, nearly anything is acceptable. But it prohibits “excessively graphic” media, “media depicting sexual violence,” and unlawful content.

How do I enable sensitive content on my Twitter account?

You can access your Privacy and Safety menu from the drop-down menu and click your tweets. Mark the media you tweet as containing content that might be sensitive by toggling the button next to it so that it turns blue.

What phrases can't I use on Twitter?

Profile information bearing display names, usernames, and bios that appear to target a group of people, individuals, or protected groups will lead to stern action from the Twitter management team. Aggressive threats, racist or sexist stereotypes, offensive epithets, and insults are not allowed on Twitter.

Can one be suspended from Twitter?

Permanent suspension is the last resort cause of action for violating Twitter policies. The user gets informed of the reason for account suspension, the policy or policies they have broken, and the specific content that did so. If violators feel that management is wrong, they can appeal.

Can I protect my tweets?

Yes, you can protect your tweets. Go to your Twitter account’s home page, click the cog symbol, choose “Settings,” and then select the “Security and Privacy” tab. Click “Save Changes” after selecting the “Protect My Tweets” checkbox. To validate the changes, you must enter your password once more. View your profile to see if your tweets are now private. A lock icon should be visible beside your username in the header.

Twitter Help Center Available here: https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/media-settings#:~:text=Log%20in%20to%20your%20account%20on%20the%20web%20at%20twitter.com.&text=Click%20the%20more%20icon.&text=Select%20Settings%20and%20privacy%20from%20the%20drop%2Ddown%20menu.&text=Go%20to%20your%20Privacy%20and%20safety%20settings.
Business Insider Available here: https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-change-privacy-settings-on-twitter?r=US&IR=T
CNET Available here: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/change-these-twitter-privacy-settings-to-protect-your-personal-data/
Houston Chronicle Available here: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/change-privacy-settings-twitter-nobody-can-see-tweets-81421.html
How-To Geek Available here: https://www.howtogeek.com/709922/how-to-see-what-data-twitter-has-on-you/