Highlights

• X modifies blocking functionality to resemble a “public town square”.
• Previously invisible interactions now visible between blocker and blocked.
• Change sparks concern among advocates of online safety and user privacy.
• The update reflects higher management’s vision for less restrictive interaction.

The recent decision of X (formerly Twitter) to modify its user blocking feature has sparked discussions on internet security and freedom of speech.

The company claims that this change is done in order for them to align with their principles as a “public town square.”

This move however brings up the issue about how can we protect our users while still keeping the conversation open?

A New Way to Block People on X

Before the update, when Person A blocked Person B on X, Person B could still comment on posts by Person A but those comments were invisible to Person A.

This system was designed to shield people from unwanted interactions while maintaining the public nature of the site.

In contrast with this scheme, now if one person blocks another person then that blocked individual will be able read replies written by their blocker directly at them or respond back to them too.

The engineering team at X described it as “part of our ongoing commitment to aligning the block feature with our principles as a public town square.”

This reasoning may have come from higher ups within X such as Elon Musk who has been very vocal against blocking people on any social media platform being public and whatnot.

For instance he said that except for DMs there should be no such thing called ‘block’ which actually doesn’t make sense at all according to him

Moral Dilemma?

Although these changes might appear to be small, they are troubling for advocates of user safety and anyone who has used blocks as a way of preventing harassment or unwanted attention.

Allowing people to see and respond to content that was previously blocked could invite further disruption and potential harm.

Amidst the ongoing debate over online safety and content moderation, X’s decision on altering its block functionality brings into focus the intricate nature of challenges faced by social media platforms.

However nobel the pursuit of an open “public town square” may be, it must not ignore the genuine concerns about users’ safety especially those susceptible to targeted abuse or harassment.

FAQs

What recent changes has X made to its blocking feature?

X has updated its blocking feature so that now, when a user blocks another, the blocked individual can still see and respond to the blocker’s comments directed at them.

How did blocking work on X before the recent update?

Prior to the update, when a user blocked another on X, the blocked person could still comment on the blocker’s posts, but these comments were not visible to the person who initiated the block. This system was intended to protect users from unwanted interactions while maintaining the openness of the platform.

What are the implications of the new blocking feature on X?

The revised blocking feature allows blocked users to interact more freely with those who have blocked them, potentially leading to increased visibility of interactions that the original blocker intended to avoid.

Why is the blocking feature update controversial?

The update is controversial because it seems to reduce the effectiveness of blocks as a tool for users to protect themselves from harassment or unwanted interactions on X. Critics argue that it compromises user safety in favor of a more open dialogue, which might not serve the needs of all users equally.

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