Twitter is testing feature to restrict who can reply to tweets

Twitter has started a test of a feature that allows users to choose who can respond to a tweet. The restriction should make it possible to speak in public with only a few people.

The feature is available to a small percentage of users, says Twitter. A new option at the bottom of the tweet allows users to choose whether everyone replies, only followers can reply, or only the people mentioned in a tweet can reply.

Other users can like, retweet or quote the tweet, but responding is not possible. The reply button has been made light gray with those tweets to make it clear that it is not possible to reply. Clicking on it brings up a pop-up explaining that answers are not possible and offers the option to view the conversation.

The intent of the feature is to enable better conversations by eliminating unwanted responses. Last year, Twitter started a feature that allows the person posting the original tweet to hide replies. This new feature was also announced earlier. It is unknown if and when the feature will be available to all users.