X, Formerly Twitter, Set to Remove Blocking Feature: Elon Musk's Bold Move Sparks Controversy.
Elon Musk, CEO of X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced the impending removal of the blocking feature, citing its lack of coherence.
According to Musk, users of X will retain the ability to prevent direct messages from certain accounts, albeit with limitations.
However, this decision has stirred up a debate on various social media platforms, as critics argue that the removal of the blocking feature will hinder users' ability to combat abusive content in their timelines effectively.
This move is part of a series of alterations orchestrated by Musk since his acquisition of the platform in a $44 billion deal last year. At present, blocking an account prevents the blocked account's posts from appearing on the blocker's timeline and vice versa.
Interestingly, the co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, seemed to support Musk's choice, stating, "100%. Mute only."
Nevertheless, apprehensions persist regarding whether muting an account can offer adequate protection against harassment, abuse, or stalking. The current mute function solely curbs notifications related to an account's posts, allowing the muted account to still view and respond to the muter's posts.
A user criticized Musk's decision, labeling it a "significant misstep" and emphasizing the necessity of avoiding interaction with toxic individuals on the platform.
Moreover, the removal of the blocking feature might potentially contravene the terms and conditions of app stores like Apple's App Store and Google Play. Both platforms stipulate that social media apps should include mechanisms to address harassment and bullying.
This could lead to the situation where X is no longer available for download on these stores.
In the event that this policy is implemented, it remains uncertain whether previously blocked accounts will automatically become unblocked.
Users, however, do have the alternative to safeguard their accounts by making them private, thereby limiting their tweets to approved followers only.
Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, introduced several changes upon taking over the social media site, such as restructuring the executive team and introducing a fee for the platform's coveted "blue tick" verification feature.
Elon Musk exhibits prolific posting behavior on X, and his reputation for unpredictability is underscored by his tendency to propose numerous ideas to his 153 million followers without always following through or maintaining a serious tone.
X itself rarely engages with inquiries from journalists, rendering the verification of Musk's statements on the company's behalf a challenging task.
However, given his role as the owner, he inherently holds a position of significance, albeit one characterized by inconsistency.
The block feature serves as a well-established tool for individuals who feel targeted, subjected to bullying, or merely wish to distance themselves from accounts with which they strongly disagree (a common occurrence on X).
When reporting an account, one of the initial pieces of advice often received is to either block or mute it temporarily during the investigative process. This practice isn't exclusive to X.
Opting to mute an account ensures that its content is concealed from the user, while the muted account still retains visibility over the user. The concept of being compelled to remain observable to someone from whom one seeks to distance oneself or feels apprehensive about strikes an unusual chord.
Musk has expressed a clear intent to transform his "digital town square" into a platform where all voices are acknowledged. However, this stance runs the risk of conflicting with the terms and conditions of app stores and social media regulations, both of which aim to safeguard users from online harm.