This weekend, X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, announced a significant and controversial update to its blocking feature. The change will permit users whom you have blocked to view your public posts, along with your followers and following lists. This decision, first hinted at by owner Elon Musk in September, has sparked considerable debate among users and observers alike.
Musk has argued that preventing blocked users from seeing public content “makes no sense.” He suggests that this new policy will foster transparency, although critics warn that it could inadvertently facilitate harassment. The change comes in the wake of an earlier update that restricts logged-out users from browsing public profiles, potentially making it easier for blocked individuals to continue their unwanted behavior without the blocked party being aware.
In a post from October, X’s engineering account defended the update by stating that it allows for greater visibility of harmful remarks made by blocked users, ensuring that the person being targeted remains aware of negative comments about them. Despite this, the new blocking system will still prohibit blocked users from following, liking, replying to, or direct messaging the person who has blocked them.
However, experts and advocates are raising concerns about the implications of this change. Tracy Chou, the founder of the anti-harassment tool Block Party, highlighted the potential dangers of making it easier for harassers to access information about those they target. She remarked, “…the point is that friction matters!! Making it easy for a creeper to creep is not a good thing!!”
Additionally, there are questions about whether this updated blocking feature complies with app store policies. Apple’s guidelines stipulate that applications featuring user-generated content must provide the ability to block abusive users. Google’s policies are even more explicit, requiring in-app functionalities for blocking users and reporting abusive content in apps that allow user interaction.
As this policy rolls out, users will be watching closely to see how it affects their experience on the platform and whether it leads to an increase in unwanted interactions. The response from the community is likely to shape future adjustments to X’s features, as the platform navigates the delicate balance between transparency and user safety.