Elon Musk has announced users of X (formerly Twitter) won’t be able to block unwanted followers, which has raised concerns about safety on the platform.
This change will restrict blocking to direct messages (DMs) only.
Musk’s statement came in response to a question from the Tesla Owners Silicon Valley account, which asked about the distinction between blocking and muting users.
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Musk confirmed, “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature,’ except for DMs.”
However, he didn’t provide a specific reason or timeline for this change, only remarking that it “makes no sense” and emphasizing that the mute function will still be available.
The platform has undergone several transformations since Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion last year.
He has initiated layoffs, reinstated previously banned accounts, and rebranded the company as X.
The decision to remove the block feature is considered one of the most controversial changes.
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Blocking has long served as a critical safety feature for users, allowing them to prevent hateful content and harassment from appearing in their feeds as responses to their posts.
In contrast, the mute function hides undesired responses from the individual user while leaving them visible to others.
Twitter users have also utilized the block feature for various purposes, including boycotting and avoiding ads from specific brands or promoters on the platform.
“X should solve the bots”
Binance CEO and investor in the new Twitter with Musk, Changpeng Zhao, wrote: “X should really solve the bots & spam problems before removing blocks. Just my 0.02.”
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Louis Jones, a media and advertising executive at the Brand Safety Institute, expressed deep concern about Musk’s decision.
He argued that Musk’s lenient approach to free speech could increase bullying and harassment on the platform.
It would ultimately inhibit free speech for those users who become targets of such behavior.
Jones believes that this approach could harm the long-term success of X.
