X CEO stated that users can still block people from directly messaging them. However, many people on social media have expressed concern that it will make it difficult for people to remove abusive posts from their timelines. It is the latest in a series of changes made by Mr Musk since acquiring the site in a $44 billion deal last year, reports Technology News UK.
Currently, when users “block” an account, the posts from that account are not displayed in the blocker’s timeline, and vice versa. A blocked account can no longer send messages or view their posts to the blocker. Former Twitter founder Jack Dorsey appeared to support Mr Musk’s decision, writing: “100%. Only muffle “. Some people worry that muzzling an account won’t offer sufficient defence against situations of harassment, abuse, or stalking.
Right now, the mute function only disables notifications about an account’s posts. A muted account can still view and respond to the muter’s posts. One user called Mr Musk’s decision a “huge mistake,” claiming that the platform is full of “toxic people” with whom users do not want to interact in any way. Eliminating a blocking function could also be against the terms and conditions of online shops like Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
Both shops’ terms of service mandate that social media apps give users the option to filter out harassment or bullying. X is no longer available in those stores. If the policy is implemented, it is unclear whether all blocked accounts will be automatically unblocked.
