A scorching potato: The block operate on X has now joined the lengthy record of issues which have modified since Elon Musk took over and killed Twitter. Now, blocking somebody will not forestall them from seeing your public posts. All it does is cease them from interacting with you.
It was revealed final month that X was making a significant change to the block button. Not would it not carry out the normal operate of stopping somebody accessing your posts, leaving feedback, and so forth. As an alternative, it might simply cease folks from liking, replying to, and reposting content material, which they will nonetheless see, primarily making it extra of a mute button.
Now, X’s engineering staff says it has began to roll out the change to the platform’s block operate. As an alternative of blocked customers seeing a “You are blocked” message on accounts, they now see a message stating “you’ll be able to view public posts from [the account that blocked you], however you’re blocked from participating with them. You additionally can not comply with or message [the account that blocked you].”
We’re beginning to launch the block operate replace https://t.co/qNYIudCrqb
– Engineering (@XEng) November 3, 2024
Musk has lengthy complained concerning the block operate, saying it is unnecessary and must be changed in favor of a stronger type of mute. He is even referred to as for the block button to be eliminated altogether, besides when used for direct messages.
X says the explanation it’s altering the block button is as a result of its performance might beforehand be utilized by customers to share and conceal dangerous or personal details about folks they’ve blocked. It additionally mentioned that blocked customers can already see and work together with accounts which have blocked them by switching to a non-blocked account. The corporate claimed the transfer was a part of its dedication to “aligning the block characteristic with our rules as a public city sq..”
Responses to the information have been nearly solely unfavourable. A number of folks have identified that individuals block accounts for security and safety causes, particularly in relation to ladies being harassed by stalkers and trolls. The truth that somebody who’s blocked can nonetheless see what you submit, take a screenshot, and submit it themselves is especially regarding.
There are questions over whether or not the change violates iOS and Google Play retailer guidelines. Apple states in its developer phrases of service that apps containing user-generated content material should provide the power to dam abusive customers from the service. Google, in the meantime, says that apps permitting “interplay with particular customers (for instance, direct messaging, tagging, mentioning, and so on.) should present an in-app performance for blocking customers.”