WASHINGTON: In a bold and controversial decision, Social Media company ‘X’, formerly recognized as Twitter, is going to remove a protective feature that lets users block other accounts, owner Elon Musk said in another controversial move for the company he bought last year.
The announcement from the company’s owner ignited a wave of debate over the future of user interactions on the platform.
The block function on X has long provided users with the ability to curtail specific accounts from reaching out to them, viewing their posts, or following their updates. In a recent post on the platform, Musk stated, “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature,’ except for DMs,” referring to the platform’s Direct Message feature. Despite this change, the mute function, which discreetly filters out posts from specified accounts without notifying the other party, will be retained.
This decision is aligned with Musk’s self-described stance as a free speech absolutist. However, critics have voiced concerns over the potential consequences of this move. Researchers have identified a surge in hate speech and content with antisemitic overtones on the platform since Musk’s acquisition last year. Governments, too, have joined the chorus, accusing the company of inadequate content moderation measures.
Interestingly, the decision to remove or limit the block feature could potentially bring X into conflict with the content guidelines established by tech giants Apple and Google. According to Apple’s guidelines, apps featuring user-generated content must incorporate mechanisms to block abusive users. Similarly, the Google Play Store mandates that apps provide an in-app system to facilitate the blocking of user-generated content and users themselves.
While X, Google, and Apple have yet to respond to requests for comments on this development, users have taken to the platform to express their concerns. Anti-bullying advocate Monica Lewinsky urged X to maintain the “critical tool to keep people safe online.” In response, Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino defended Musk’s decision, highlighting the company’s dedication to user safety and hinting at forthcoming improvements to replace the existing block and mute features.
