Elon Musk has announced that the microblogging service X, formerly known as Twitter, will remove a feature that allows users to block other accounts.
“Block is going to be deleted as a’feature’, except for DMs [direct messages],” Musk said in a post on X, later adding, “It makes no sense.”
An X user can use the block tool to prevent accounts they like from contacting them, seeing their posts, or following them on the social networking platform.
The platform would, however, keep the mute option, which prevents a user from seeing specific accounts but, unlike blocking, does not notify the other account of the action.
Why Is Elon Musk’s Move So Controversial?
The removal of the blocking tool has the potential to change the way users interact, communicate, and coexist on the microblogging site. Concerns have been raised again about certain fraudsters impersonating, abusing, and harassing users on social media.
Users have used this block option to protect themselves from harassment, threats, and stalking on the platform.
Meanwhile, X is attempting to indicate that “a stronger form of mute” will be used in place of blocking. Currently, the platform’s mute function hides specific accounts that users do not want to communicate with on their timeline.
“We can make mutes more powerful, such as not allowing people you mute to reply or quote you.” In a post, Aqueel Miqdad, a software engineer at X, recommended that “we can also transfer [your] block list to mute list.”
Musk has often stated that his modifications are motivated by a desire for free speech, and he has lashed out at what he perceives as the threat to free expression posed by shifting cultural sensitivities. However, some opponents have called his approach reckless.
Since he took over, researchers have discovered a surge in hate speech and antisemitic content on the site, and several governments have accused the firm of not doing enough to filter the content.
X will be removed from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store?
Musk’s decision to remove the block option may cause the microblogging software to violate restrictions implemented by Apple’s software Store and Alphabet’s Google Play. According to Apple and Google regulations, an app must allow a user to “block” another program.
Apple requires apps containing user-generated content to have the option to prohibit abusive users.
According to Apple’s standards for user-generated content safety, “Apps with user-generated content present unique challenges, ranging from intellectual property infringement to anonymous bullying.” Apps containing user-generated content or social networking services must feature… to avoid abuse. The capacity to prevent abusive users from using the service.”
Furthermore, Google Play Store requires apps to include an in-app solution for restricting user-generated content and users.
“Apps that contain or highlight UGC, including apps that are specialized browsers or clients to drive users to a UGC platform, must incorporate robust, effective, and continuous UGC moderation that… Blocks UGC and users using an in-app system.”
However, neither company has published a statement or responded to comments in a timely manner.
Apple has made an exception to another guideline by allowing the renaming of Twitter as X to appear in the app’s title despite not having the required number of letters. However, given X’s popularity, it’s unclear whether Apple will make another exemption for it.
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino backed Elon Musk’s decision, emphasizing that user safety is the company’s “number one priority.”