Elon Musk, the owner of the X social media platform (formerly known as Twitter), said the block feature on the site will be removed as it "makes no sense."
In a post on the platform that he acquired in October 2022, the South African-born tech mogul said: "Block is going to be deleted as a 'feature,' except for DMs [direct messages]. It makes no sense." Under the rule, users won't be able to block accounts from interacting with their public posts. However, users can prevent these other accounts from messaging them directly.
Prior to the announcement, the block feature completely severs the connection between users as it prevents specific accounts from contacting, viewing tweets and following users. It was primarily used to counteract harassment, threats and stalking on the social media platform. The mute option, a less-stringent feature, allows users to hide content from specific followers without fully blocking their interactions.
The X owner suggested setting accounts to "private" as an alternative option for users to have more control over who can see and respond to their posts. However, this approach also limits publicity, restricting users from engaging with a broader audience.
Also, the app stores for the Android and iOS mobile platforms have guidelines strongly recommending the inclusion of a block feature in social networking apps. Google's Play Store, for instance, mandates an "in-app system for blocking user-generated content and users." Similarly, Apple's App Store expects apps to include the ability to block abusive users from the service.
Musk faces backlash over plan to remove block feature on X
The absence of a block feature could compromise user safety, particularly in cases of harassment and cyberbullying. Blocking has been a key tool for individuals to protect themselves from malicious accounts. With the block function gone, users may need to rely solely on the mute feature, which doesn't provide the same level of protection.
"Block is a form of moderation for users," said Daniel Rubino, Windows Central editor-in-chief. emphasized. Unlike muting, blocking prevents blocked users from engaging with the person who blocked them with a higher degree of control. (Related: STUDY: Twitter censorship shockingly on rise after Elon Musk takeover.)
"The removal of the block function would effectively make harassment an official feature of X, taking away what is the only setting that can reduce impact," said Tanja Bueltmann, a historian at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. "It is an extremely ignorant and privileged perspective to think that blocking makes no sense."
Meanwhile, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey approved of Musk's announcement, suggesting that the "mute only" approach could be a more effective way of handling unwanted interactions. He also stressed his support for Musk's longstanding advocacy for free speech.
Eva Galperin, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's director of cybersecurity, highlighted the necessity of blocking abusive accounts.
Even organizations such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland have weighed in. The museum noted that the block function has been instrumental in limiting antisemitic replies to their tweets commemorating victims of the Holocaust.
"A platform that disregards the need to defend the memory of the victims demonstrates a disregard for creating a respectful and empathetic online environment," it wrote.
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