X Rolls Out Automatic Translation Feature, Confusing Israeli Users
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Israeli users of X experienced their Hebrew posts being automatically translated to English due to a new global feature using the Grok AI model. The platform stated the change aims for global content exposure, but it caused confusion for Israeli users. Users can disable this automatic translation either directly through a gear icon on translated posts or by adjusting their preferred language settings within the account's main settings.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- X automatically translated Hebrew posts into English for Israeli users as part of a global update.
- The platform uses its Grok AI model to provide automatic translation for posts worldwide.
- Users are reporting frustration with the new automatic translation feature.
- The issue can be resolved by disabling automatic translation for Hebrew in post settings.
- An alternative method involves adjusting preferred language settings within the account.
- The change aims to give content global reach across different languages.
Israeli users of X, formerly Twitter, encountered a confusing issue on Tuesday morning when their feeds began displaying posts originally written in Hebrew automatically translated into English, under the heading "Translated from Hebrew." This change is part of a global update by Elon Musk's social media platform, which is using its Grok AI model to translate posts. In response to user complaints, the Grok account stated that X is enabling automatic translation worldwide to give content global reach. However, for Israeli users whose device and language settings are configured for English, or if the system identified their account as such, the result was frustrating inconvenience.
Two methods have emerged to revert the feed to its original language settings. The quickest way involves interacting directly with a translated post. Users can find a small gear icon next to the "Show original" button on a translated post. Clicking this icon opens an "Automatic Translation" window where users can disable the automatic translation for Hebrew by toggling off the relevant option. After refreshing the feed, Hebrew posts should appear in their original language. This setting can be adjusted for other languages as well.
Alternatively, users can change their language preferences within the main account settings. If the gear icon is not visible on a post, users can navigate to "Settings and privacy," then "Accessibility, display and languages," and finally "Languages." Within the "Preferred language" section, users can ensure their primary language is set correctly. They can also explicitly select Hebrew to prevent the system from assuming they do not understand it and subsequently translating it to English.
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