Elon Musk’s platform, X, has recently introduced a change to its blocking feature, allowing blocked accounts to still view public posts made by users, unless the account has been set to private. Although blocked accounts will no longer be able to follow users, reply to posts, or repost them, they will still have access to view content that is publicly shared. Additionally, if someone visits the profile of a user who has blocked them, they will be notified of the block.
X has stated that the update is designed to provide more transparency and protect users by allowing them to share private or potentially harmful information with the understanding that blocked users can see it, thus enabling users to be more aware of how blocked accounts interact with their content. The company indicated that this change was implemented to better safeguard users from harmful interactions while promoting transparency around blocking.
However, the change has sparked concerns, especially among survivors of abuse. Critics, including Thomas Ristenpart, a computer security professor at Cornell Tech, have raised alarms about the potential risks to users who need to keep their social media interactions private. For victims of intimate partner violence or other forms of harassment, the ability to block an abuser and prevent them from accessing personal posts is often critical for their safety and well-being. Ristenpart warned that this change could expose vulnerable individuals to further harm, as it removes an important layer of control over who can see their content.
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022, X has gradually altered several policies, often focusing on free speech principles. Under Musk’s leadership, the platform has loosened restrictions on hate speech and harassment, leading to the reinstatement of previously banned accounts. The Trust and Safety advisory group was dismantled, and several accounts banned for spreading misinformation or hate speech were allowed back on the platform. These changes have led to criticisms of the platform’s approach to online safety, especially in light of concerns over the rising use of social media for spreading harmful content.
The new blocking policy has garnered mixed reactions. While some see it as a move toward greater transparency, others argue that it disproportionately affects users who rely on blocking as a means of ensuring their safety. With this new feature, X has put the privacy and safety of its users in the spotlight, prompting questions about the balance between free speech and user protection on the platform.
