Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is making a significant change to its block feature that is causing a stir among users. Unlike most social media apps, where blocking someone prevents them from seeing your posts altogether, X’s new policy will allow blocked users to still view public posts but not interact with them by liking, reposting, or replying.
The rationale behind this change, as stated by Musk himself, is to replace blocking with a stronger form of mute. This decision has sparked a debate within the tech community, with some experts like Tracy Chou arguing that the additional friction of having to log out to view public posts matters in preventing unwanted interactions.
Despite Musk’s intentions to prioritize the experiences of those being blocked, concerns have been raised about the implications of this change, especially for victims of abuse and harassment. Claire Waxman, the Victims’ Commissioner in London, expressed worry that enabling blocked users to still see posts could empower abusers and stalkers, putting victims at risk.
Colten Meisner, a social media harassment researcher, echoed these concerns, highlighting how the block feature has historically been a crucial tool for individuals facing harassment. He criticized the policy change as potentially removing a vital defense mechanism for victims and catering to abusers instead.
Moreover, Meisner pointed out a trend in how Musk’s personal beliefs and decisions have influenced platform policies, citing instances where X has suppressed links to competitors and labeled certain media outlets without editorial independence. This trend, combined with the recent changes to the block feature, raises alarms about the platform’s stance on user safety and harassment.
As X faces backlash over these updates, alternative platforms like Bluesky are experiencing a surge in user growth, indicating a shift in user preferences towards platforms that prioritize user safety and privacy. The long-term implications of X’s policy changes remain to be seen, but it is clear that the tech community is closely watching how these decisions will impact user engagement and safety moving forward.
