Users Poke Fun at Twitter's Name for Its Vanishing Tweets

Twitter users are complaining that they asked for an edit function but are apparently getting self-destructing tweets instead. Twitter says it is testing the new format, called "Fleets," in Brazil and may introduce it to other markets later, TechCrunch reports. "Fleets are a way to share fleeting thoughts," tweeted product lead Kayvon Beykpour, who went on to explain how they work. "Unlike Tweets, Fleets disappear after 24 hours and don't get Retweets, Likes, or public replies—people can only react to your Fleets with DMs. Instead of showing up in people's timelines, Fleets are viewed by tapping on your avatar."

Beykpour says the company hopes the new format will make people more comfortable about sharing their thoughts on Twitter. The BBC reports that #RIPTwitter trended on Twitter Wednesday as users complained that the feature—which is similar to Snapchat and the "Stories" feature on Facebook and Instagram—made Twitter too much like other social media sites. Beykpour, however, says there are a "few intentional differences" between Fleets and Stories. Gizmodo notes that American users poked fun at Fleets for sharing its name with an at-home enema product. (More Twitter stories.)