X, formerly known as Twitter, announced the rollout of a new block function on Sunday. The social media platform first announced the decision to alter the functionality of blocking users last month. With the implementation of the new system, blocked users are able to view the profiles, posts, followers, and following lists of the individuals who have blocked them. Multiple platform users have articulated their apprehensions regarding the decision, emphasizing the risks to their safety and the increased likelihood of content theft. X is commencing the rollout of an updated block feature.
The act of blocking users on social media platforms has consistently adhered to a specific procedure. Once blocked, the recipient is unable to view the profile of the blocker. This also implies that they are unable to view or engage with their posts, access their bio or other details, and send private messages to them.
However, last month, X made an announcement regarding a modification to its conventional blocking feature.
The company has announced that under the revised policy, individuals who have been blocked will be able to view the profile and posts of the blocker. However, they will not have the ability to respond, retweet, or like any of their posts.
They are also unable to send a direct message (DM). The previous iteration of the policy did not make reference to the follower or following lists; however, the updated support page now specifies that blocked users are able to view these lists as well, thereby diminishing the protective measures for users. In a statement posted on the official Engineering page of X, it was clarified that users can now utilize the block feature to share and conceal detrimental or confidential information pertaining to the individuals they have blocked.
Users will have the opportunity to observe the presence of such behavior with this update, thus enhancing transparency.
User feedback regarding this update has generally been unfavorable. Responding to X’s post about the feature’s roll-out, a user expressed discontent, stating, “Those of us who have stalkers on this platform and encounter content theft do not welcome this alteration and should not be obliged to secure our accounts to shield ourselves from malicious individuals. “
Tracy Chou, the developer of the Block Party application that facilitates social media users in blocking others more efficiently, also raised objections to the revision, emphasizing that “simplifying the act of creeping for a predator is unfavorable!”
