X's Block Feature Update: A Recipe for Harassment?
**X's Controversial Update to Block Feature Sparks Outrage Over User Safety**
In a significant shift in policy, X has begun rolling out an update to its block feature that has sparked considerable backlash from users concerned about privacy and safety. The change allows individuals who have been blocked to view the public posts of those who blocked them, a move that many are interpreting as an infringement on user privacy and a potential catalyst for harassment.
Previously, when a user blocked someone on X, that blocked user was unable to view the blocker’s posts, follow them, or engage with their content. However, with the new update, blocked users will now have access to the blocker’s public posts, and the platform has also removed references to restrictions on viewing followers and following lists for blocked users. This means that individuals who have been blocked can now see who the blocker follows and who follows them, a change that raises alarms about the potential for stalking and harassment.
X has justified this update by claiming that the block feature could be misused to share harmful or private information about users. The company argues that increasing transparency in these interactions is essential. However, many critics believe this rationale falls short. Users can already opt to make their accounts private, allowing for a degree of control over who sees their posts, and the new update does not seem to enhance user safety.
The backlash has been swift, with advocates for user safety and privacy voicing their concerns. software engineer and tech diversity advocate Tracy Chou has been particularly vocal, highlighting the dangers this change presents. She created an app that automates the blocking process, emphasizing that while individuals can circumvent blocks by creating new accounts, increasing friction in the blocking process is vital for user safety. “Making it easy for the creeper to creep is not a good thing,” she stated in a post on X, underscoring the risks associated with the new policy.
As the rollout continues, users are left grappling with the implications of X's updated block feature. Many are calling for a reevaluation of this policy, arguing that user safety should take precedence over transparency. With concerns about stalking and harassment at the forefront, the conversation around this change is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
In a significant shift in policy, X has begun rolling out an update to its block feature that has sparked considerable backlash from users concerned about privacy and safety. The change allows individuals who have been blocked to view the public posts of those who blocked them, a move that many are interpreting as an infringement on user privacy and a potential catalyst for harassment.
Previously, when a user blocked someone on X, that blocked user was unable to view the blocker’s posts, follow them, or engage with their content. However, with the new update, blocked users will now have access to the blocker’s public posts, and the platform has also removed references to restrictions on viewing followers and following lists for blocked users. This means that individuals who have been blocked can now see who the blocker follows and who follows them, a change that raises alarms about the potential for stalking and harassment.
X has justified this update by claiming that the block feature could be misused to share harmful or private information about users. The company argues that increasing transparency in these interactions is essential. However, many critics believe this rationale falls short. Users can already opt to make their accounts private, allowing for a degree of control over who sees their posts, and the new update does not seem to enhance user safety.
The backlash has been swift, with advocates for user safety and privacy voicing their concerns. software engineer and tech diversity advocate Tracy Chou has been particularly vocal, highlighting the dangers this change presents. She created an app that automates the blocking process, emphasizing that while individuals can circumvent blocks by creating new accounts, increasing friction in the blocking process is vital for user safety. “Making it easy for the creeper to creep is not a good thing,” she stated in a post on X, underscoring the risks associated with the new policy.
As the rollout continues, users are left grappling with the implications of X's updated block feature. Many are calling for a reevaluation of this policy, arguing that user safety should take precedence over transparency. With concerns about stalking and harassment at the forefront, the conversation around this change is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.