Major changes are coming to X’s block feature, as confirmed by CEO Elon Musk on Monday.
Musk’s announcement came in response to a web developer who reported on the shifting policy regarding the block function.
Previously, the block feature allowed users to prevent certain individuals from viewing or engaging with their public posts. Under the new guidelines, blocked users will regain access to the visibility of the blocker’s posts, but they will still be unable to interact with those posts through likes, replies, reposts, or direct messages. This modification comes after Musk suggested last year that the block feature may be entirely reformed.
This change has raised concerns among many users, particularly those who have faced harassment or stalking on X. Although the revised block feature aims to limit user engagement, it also allows for easy visibility of posts, which could exacerbate negative experiences. For instance, individuals can now capture and share screenshots of posts from accounts that previously blocked them and distribute that content across other social media platforms.
Responses to this announcement have been mixed, with some users welcoming the change as a modification to a “toothless” block function. Critics have highlighted that blocked users could already view public posts through incognito browser modes, making the block feature ineffective in many instances.
Speculation surrounds the reasoning behind Musk’s decision to alter the block feature, with some suggesting it is a strategy to drive engagement or a response to the upcoming presidential election. However, significant challenges lie ahead, particularly as Google and Apple enforce block features as a standard requirement for social media apps in their app stores. There is already pressure on these platforms to take action against X if the block function is removed.
