X, the social media platform correctly known as Twitter, is preparing to roll out a controversial update to its block feature, and users are already up in arms. The changes, driven by Elon Musk’s vision, will allow blocked users to still view public posts, although they will be restricted from engaging (liking, replying, reposting, etc.). While this might seem like a technical tweak, it reflects a deeper shift in how X (Twitter) is being reshaped under Musk’s leadership, raising serious concerns about user safety, app store compliance, and the future of the platform itself.
A Look at the Upcoming Block Update
The core change is simple but significant: if you block someone on X (Twitter), they will still be able to view your public posts. This departs from the current behavior where blocked users are completely cut off from viewing profiles and posts. The update does keep engagement restrictions intact — blocked users won’t be able to interact with your posts through likes, replies, or retweets. But the simple ability for blocked users to continue viewing content they’ve been shut out from has raised red flags, particularly for those concerned with online harassment and privacy.
In a platform post on October 16, 2024, X Engineering confirmed that the update will soon go live, stressing that blocked accounts won’t be able to engage with posts but will still have viewing access. This represents a sharp departure from the former “you’re blocked” message that restricted access to profiles, posts, and interactions entirely.
Why Is Elon Musk Pushing for It?
Elon Musk has made no secret of his distaste for the block feature. As early as last year, he criticized the block button, calling it a “nonsensical” feature and suggesting it should be replaced by a more effective mute function. Musk argued that blocking was ultimately pointless, as individuals could still view posts by logging out or creating anonymous accounts. This new update seems to align with that belief – if blocking someone from seeing your posts is ineffective, why not just allow them to view everything except engage?
But Musk’s push for the update seems weird for reasons beyond just functionality. Critics argue that Musk’s vision for X (Twitter) is becoming increasingly dystopian, with privacy and user control gradually eroding. Why remove a fundamental feature like blocking in favor of a more transparent system? Many speculate that this change is part of Musk’s broader desire to foster an “open town square” where conversations – positive or negative – can flourish. However, this idealized vision doesn’t account for the real-world need for safety measures in online spaces.
Why It’s Creepy — and Potentially Dangerous
The update has been described by some as “creepy” because it allows blocked users to still monitor their blockers’ public posts. For individuals who use the block function to shield themselves from harassment or abuse, this update could be disastrous. By preventing users from engaging with posts but still letting them view everything, the platform is essentially inviting bad actors to continue lurking. It opens the door for stalkers, harassers, and trolls to continue observing and tracking their victims, even if direct interactions are curbed.
As one user on X (Twitter) pointed out, this update seems to disproportionately benefit stalkers and creeps, allowing them access to content from people who have tried to protect themselves through blocking. For marginalized groups, journalists, and activists, this change is particularly alarming as it undermines one of the few tools available for protecting oneself from harmful individuals.
Potential Violations of Apple and Google App Store Policies
The change also raises important questions about compliance with major app store guidelines. Both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store require social media apps to provide ways to block abusive users as part of their terms of service. Apple’s guidelines specifically state that platforms must “offer the ability to block abusive users from the service.” X’s (Twitter) new update, by allowing blocked users to still view public posts, could be seen as falling short of this requirement, potentially putting its status on both app stores at risk.
Whether Apple or Google will take action remains to be seen, but the possibility of a violation raises the stakes significantly for X (Twitter). Losing app store access would be a catastrophic blow for the platform, which already faces declining user growth and advertising revenue.
X’s (Twitter) Dwindling Value Under Musk
The changes to X’s (Twitter) block function come at a time when the platform’s overall value is plummeting. According to an October 2024 estimate by Fidelity, X’s (Twitter’s) value has dropped nearly 80% since Elon Musk purchased the company for $44 billion in 2022 . This is a staggering fall for what was once considered a core part of online discourse. Advertisers have fled, user growth has stagnated, and many of Musk’s decisions — including this one — have only served to further alienate long-time users.
Musk’s leadership has often been described as erratic, and the diminishing value of X (Twitter) is a testament to the instability that has taken hold under his tenure. From removing legacy verification systems to monetizing features that were once free, Musk’s vision has not aligned with what many users want from the platform. The block feature update may only accelerate X’s (Twitter’s) downward spiral, as users question whether their privacy and safety are truly a priority.
With other controversial updates — like turning the once-respected blue check mark into a paid feature and limiting engagement data — X (Twitter) is becoming less of a community-driven platform and more of a reflection of its owner’s ideals. It’s no longer the democratic public square it once aspired to be but a playground for Musk’s free speech absolutism.
Conclusion: The Future of X (Twitter)
As X (Twitter) rolls out this controversial block feature update, it’s clear that the platform is continuing its rapid transformation under Elon Musk. Whether the update will improve user experience or backfire by driving more people away remains to be seen. What is clear, though, is that the platform is no longer what it once was.
With X’s (Twitter’s) value dwindling, its app store status potentially at risk, and mounting concerns over privacy and harassment, the platform faces an uncertain future. Musk’s argued vision for X (Twitter) as a free speech haven seems to be an open lie. The erosion of privacy tools like blocking signals that user safety isn’t being taken seriously. The question now is whether X (Twitter) can survive this latest transformation — or whether it’s heading for a complete collapse.
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