Janice R. Andrews
Elon Musk’s social platform, X, has implemented a contentious update to its blocking feature, sparking privacy and safety concerns. According to Engadget, this recent change allows blocked users to view public posts from accounts that have blocked them, though they still cannot interact by liking, commenting, or messaging. Previously, X would completely block access to any content from accounts that had blocked the user, displaying only a “You’re blocked” message.
Initially announced by X in September, this update is intended to support what the company calls “greater transparency.” X explained that blocked users could already view posts by using alternate, non-blocked accounts, suggesting this change simply formalizes an existing possibility. The platform also noted that blocking could sometimes be misused to hide harmful or sensitive information from those blocked, and this new approach helps prevent that.
However, critics argue this adjustment has concerning implications, especially for those facing online harassment, stalking, or abuse. Claire Waxman, London’s Victims’ Commissioner, condemned the change, stating, “Enabling blocked users to see posts is catering to abusers and stalkers, indulging and facilitating their behaviors.” Many experts and social media users share these concerns, fearing the update could give harassers easier access to their targets’ content.
The update could also be at odds with guidelines from major app stores. Apple’s App Store, for example, requires apps with user-generated content to offer complete tools for blocking abusive users. Although the block function technically remains, its reduced effectiveness may attract scrutiny from Apple and Google, which might view it as a potential policy breach.
The backlash has led some users to explore alternative platforms like BlueSky and Threads, both of which have seen recent growth. Threads, operated by Meta, reported reaching 275 million monthly active users, a 75 million increase in just three months.
With the safety and privacy of users central to this debate, X’s decision highlights the difficulties of balancing transparency with user protection. Whether X will adjust the update in response to these growing concerns remains to be seen.
