Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has rolled out a controversial update to its blocking feature, now allowing blocked accounts to view public posts unless the blocker’s account is set to private. The modification, which the platform quietly implemented over the weekend, has stirred debate, with advocates expressing concerns for user safety and privacy.

The platform’s Help Center now clarifies that, while blocking still restricts certain interactions such as the ability to reply to, repost, or follow the blocker’s account it no longer prevents blocked users from viewing posts. Additionally, blocked accounts can now see that they have been blocked when visiting the blocker’s profile.

According to a statement from X’s Engineering team, the change aims to "protect users who have been blocked" by increasing transparency. “The blocking feature can be used by users to share and hide harmful or private information about those they’ve blocked,” X’s post noted, adding that users can now monitor potential misuse with this policy adjustment.

However, the policy change has sparked significant backlash from advocates and experts, especially regarding the implications for victims of abuse. Thomas Ristenpart, a computer security professor at Cornell Tech and co-founder of the Clinic to End Tech Abuse, warned that the new policy could hinder survivor safety. “We often hear reports about posts to social media enabling abusers to stalk them or triggering further harassment. Removing users’ ability to block problematic individuals will be a huge step backward for survivor safety,” he stated.

Since Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the platform has experienced several shifts in policy, largely in the name of promoting free speech. Musk’s leadership saw the disbanding of Twitter’s Trust and Safety advisory group and the reinstatement of numerous accounts previously banned for harassment or hate speech. X has even engaged in litigation with watchdog groups highlighting increases in hate speech on the platform, though the case was dismissed.

As the platform continues to adapt its policies, critics argue that X’s approach may prioritize transparency over user protection, raising complex questions about the balance between free speech and safety.