Elon Musk’s X made a controversial change to the blockchain feature first announced in SeptemberEngadget confirmed. The update allows blocked users to see posts from the accounts that blocked them, but still not be able to interact with those accounts.
For the first time since 2014, I was able to see William Shatner’s posts Engadget is blocked reporters massively at that time (why, Bill?). Meanwhile, X shows the message below Shatner’s pinned post: “You can view public posts from @WilliamShatner, but you are not allowed to interact with them. You also cannot follow or message @WilliamShatner.” Previously, X would simply display the message “You’ve been blocked” without displaying any tweets, replies, or other content.
X said before was making this change because users can now see and contact accounts that have blocked them by switching to an unblocked account. X he also said that blocking, as previously applied, can be used to share and hide harmful or private information about those they block, so the new feature allows for “greater transparency.”
This is a dangerous decision for a social media platform and will have serious implications for victims, especially stalkers, and their safety. Allowing blocked users to see posts is aiding and abetting abusers and stalkers, encouraging and facilitating their behavior. pic.twitter.com/bxcPhJYXnx
– Commissioner for Victims London (@LDNVictimsComm) October 17, 2024
However, social media abuse experts say the changes help stalkers and trolls, while making their victims less safe. “Allowing blocked users to see posts is aiding and abetting abusers and stalkers, condoning and facilitating their behaviour,” London’s Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman wrote last month.
There are users noted Blocking changes to X may be against the rules in the iOS and Google Play app stores. Apple, for one, states in its developer terms of service that any apps with user-generated content must offer “the ability to block users who abuse the service.” The block button is technically still in place, so it’s unclear what, if anything, Apple and Google will do.
Some are voting with their feet, with alternative platforms like BlueSky and Threads gaining users and popularity over the past few months. Topics announced today It reached 275 million monthly active users (MAUs) — earned 75 million in the last three months alone.
