X, formerly known as Twitter, said it has started rolling out changes to its controversial blocks feature. Now, when a user blocks someone, the blocked user will still be able to visit their profile and view their posts, but will not be able to interact with them in any direct way.
The change received a strong negative response, with critics saying it would only make it easier for stalkers, violent ex-partners and others to continue to monitor and prey on their targets. Blocked users can attack their targets by taking screenshots of their posts and encouraging followers to follow them.
When “Today, users can use blocking features to share and hide harmful or personal information about people they have blocked. This update improves transparency by allowing users to see if this behavior is occurring.”
X presentation The changes were rolled out on Saturday, and many responses expressed their displeasure. A common answer that many users repeat over and over again is “no one asked for this.”
To be fair, even if someone is blocked on X, they can still visit the target’s profile from another account. But this is additional friction, and on the surface, these changes seem to make life easier for bullies.
Other X changes that initially met with resistance have since been approved, most notably the company’s decision to hide who liked a post. After X made the change, many people felt comfortable liking sensitive content without judgment. High-profile figures have been embarrassed for years by similar histories, such as when it was revealed that Senator Ted Cruz liked a short clip of a Reality Kings porn called “Dick For Two.” Ironically, X justified changing the block function to: show Adding more transparency to content contradicts the move to hide likes for the opposite reason.
Some have pointed out that changing the blocking feature could violate Apple and Google’s guidelines for social media apps available on their stores. Apple’s guidelines specifically state that apps must have “the ability to block malicious users from the service.” However, Apple appears to have some friendly relations with X, which is owned by Elon Musk. For example, it is too early to restart advertising on the platform.
At this point, it remains to be seen how much of an impact this change will have on the user experience. Of course, competing platforms, including Bluesky and Threads, have gained many users since Musk’s takeover, and they have generally felt more toxic due to his shift toward moderation. Musk has been posting increasingly right-wing and inflammatory content ahead of the presidential election. In a recent report luck I noticed his posts appearing in user feeds. within two sessionsWhether they are trying to find his account or not.
In response to X’s October block change announcement, Bluesky said the platform would maintain its original block functionality. The startup recently announced. Over 13 million usersMeta said in its recent earnings call that Threads Over 275 million.
At Bluesky, we take online safety seriously.
If you want to block someone, you can do that! It’s your experience that you customize.
You can also:
+ Subscribe to block lists managed by users you trust
+ Separate cited posts
+ See morehttps://t.co/x6v5YW0WFT— Blue Sky (@bluesky) October 16, 2024
