X (Twitter) Unveils Controversial Change to Blocking Rules

Elon Musk has kept his promise and released an update that changes the blocking feature in X (Twitter). Starting today, Blocks will not have the expected effect if your profile is public.. This means that if you post, anyone can read it, even those you previously blocked.

A post on the help website detailed the purpose of blocking in X. The company removed the phrase: “This feature helps people limit the ability of certain accounts to see their posts.” The most recent version details that X Lock is designed to help you control your interactions with other accounts. on the platform.

“If your posts are public, accounts you block may be able to see your posts. However, they cannot interact (eg reply, repost, etc.) with your posts,” says X. “If your posts are posts set to protected, blocked accounts will not be able to see your posts since they are only visible to your subscribers.”

It was mentioned on social media a few days ago that Changes in blocking are driven by a desire for transparency. According to X, some users have taken advantage of the feature to share and hide harmful or personal information about people they have blocked. Right-wing activists such as Andy Ngo have noted that extremist accounts abuse blocking to prevent others from reporting tweets or writing community notes.

According to Musk, blocking X (Twitter) did not make sense for public profiles

It’s been over a year since then Elon Musk foresaw changes in function to block users. “There is no point in blocking public publications. This should be left aside and replaced with a more stringent form of muting,” he said in a tweet in early June 2023. The measure was supported by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, who added that the blockade was a lie.

Musk then questioned the functioning of the blockade because It was enough to open a window in incognito mode to read the publication from a public profile. While this statement makes sense, some users point out that changes benefit bullies. Claire Waxman, Victims Commissioner at London City Hall, outlined the dangers of this update.

“This is a dangerous decision for a social media platform and will have serious consequences for victims (especially those who are being harassed) and their safety,” Waxman said in Post X. “Allowing blocked users to view posts is pandering to abusers and harassers. , condoning and facilitating their behavior.

Changes to blocking features in X are available starting today. If someone has blocked you, after their first pinned post, you’ll see a message that says you can’t interact with, follow, or message them. Unlike incognito windows, blocked users can read public profiles in chronological order.