How long is your block list on X, formerly known as Twitter? It may be cut short or even removed completely as the owner of the platform, Elon Musk said that he is removing the block feature from the platform soon.
For the unaware, the block feature on Twitter will allow users to block specific users from contacting them, seeing their posts or even following them. Elon said in a reply to a post that “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs [direct messages]” and said that “It [Block feature] makes no sense.”
He did say however that X will retain the mute function. The function will screen the user from seeing posts from the muted account, but unlike blocking, the other party are still able to see the user’s account.
This move is decried by many users online as the block feature is a vital tool in keeping trolls and unsavoury characters away from following their accounts. Since Elon acquired X, there was an increase in hate speech and antisemitic content on the platform – and some governments have accused the company of not doing enough to moderate its content.
Elon has a long-standing issue with the block button, as he is against mass blocking campaigns as well as large block lists, with the latter being blamed for “mess[ing] up the recommendation system and create a DDoS vector.”
A point that has been brought up is that removing or limiting the block feature might bring X into some conflict with set guidelines by Apple’s App Store and Alphabet’s Google Play.
From Apple, they say that apps with user-generated content must have the ability to block abusive users. Google meanwhile said apps must provide an in-app system for blocking user-generated content and users. The big possibility of breaking these guidelines is that the X app may be banned or even kicked out from the stores – unless the feature is retained.
There are no updates from X on this matter as of press time on the removal of the Block function.
