Social Media

X, Formerly Twitter, to Remove ‘Block’ Feature Except for Direct Messages, Confirms Elon Musk

August 19, 2023

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In a significant development, X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is set to eliminate its ‘block’ feature, except for direct messages (DMs), as confirmed by the platform’s owner Elon Musk on Friday. This move is poised to raise eyebrows, given its potential impact on user safety and the broader landscape of online discourse. Musk’s decision to discontinue the ‘block’ feature comes in the wake of several other controversial decisions since he acquired the platform last year.

Is there ever a reason to block vs mute someone?

Give your reasons.

— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) August 18, 2023

The ‘block’ function on X has provided users with the ability to prevent specific accounts from contacting them, viewing their posts, or following their activities. Musk took to the platform to announce the impending change, stating, “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs.” This move raises concerns about users’ ability to effectively control their online interactions and safeguard themselves from unwanted or harmful content.

While the ‘block’ feature is on the chopping block, the ‘mute’ function will remain intact. The ‘mute’ feature allows users to filter out content from specified accounts, but unlike ‘blocking,’ it doesn’t notify the other party of the action taken. Musk’s decision to retain ‘mute’ while discontinuing ‘block’ appears to suggest a nuanced approach to curating the platform’s user experience.

Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed proponent of free speech, has faced criticism for his management of the platform. Researchers have identified a surge in hate speech and antisemitic content on X since his takeover. Some governments have accused the platform of inadequate content moderation measures. Removing or limiting the ‘block’ feature might put X at odds with the content moderation guidelines established by Apple’s App Store and Alphabet’s Google Play.

According to Apple’s guidelines, apps featuring user-generated content are required to incorporate mechanisms to block abusive users. Google Play Store mandates that apps provide an in-app system for blocking both user-generated content and users themselves. At the time of writing, X, Google, and Apple had not responded to requests for comments on this development.

Anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky took to the platform to advocate for retaining the ‘block’ feature as a crucial tool for online safety. In response, Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino assured users that their safety was the platform’s top priority. Yaccarino hinted at an improved system being developed to replace the current ‘block’ and ‘mute’ functionalities.

Elon Musk is poised to lead the platform’s product and engineering teams, while Yaccarino will spearhead other crucial divisions, including legal and sales. The decision to eliminate the ‘block’ feature underscores X’s ongoing transformation under Musk’s leadership and its potential ramifications for user interactions and online safety.