The Twitter blocking feature has long been viewed as a key safety feature, allowing users to control who can interact with them on the platform. However, a recent announcement by Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), has stirred controversy and debate across the tech world.

Elon Musk’s Announcement 

Elon Musk announced that X users will no longer be able to block comments from unwanted followers, eliminating what has long been considered a crucial safety feature. Musk made this decision without providing a specific reason or timeframe for removing the block function, only stating that he finds “it makes no sense” and that the mute function will remain available.

Since acquiring Twitter last year for $44 billion and rebranding it as X, Musk has made significant changes, including laying off many employees, reinstating previously banned accounts, and now, planning to delete the block feature. The decision has raised concerns among users who have been able to use the block function to ensure that hateful content and harassment don’t show up in their feed in response to their posts.

Twitter CEO Defends Twitter Blocking Feature

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has publicly defended Elon Musk’s decision to remove the blocking feature from X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk’s announcement, removing the blocking feature except for direct messages (DMs), had stirred concerns among users, particularly those who depend on the feature to evade harassment, bullying, and stalking.

Yaccarino’s Response to Concerns

Yaccarino’s statement came in response to a tweet by anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky, who urged Musk and Yaccarino to reconsider their decision. Lewinsky emphasized that the block feature is a “critical tool to keep people safe online.”

Responding to Lewinsky, Yaccarino stressed that users’ safety on X is their “number one priority.” She also hinted at developing something better than the current block and mute features, though details of what this might entail still needed to be provided.

Yaccarino’s tweet read: “Our users’ safety on X is our number one priority. And we’re building something better than the current state of block and mute. Please keep the feedback coming.”

The Difference Between Block and Mute

The decision to remove the block feature has led to discussions about the difference between blocking and muting on the platform. While blocking restricts specific accounts from contacting, seeing tweets, and following the user, muting removes an account’s tweets from the user’s timeline without unfollowing or blocking the account.

Musk suggested that users could still mute accounts and block users for DMs, even after eliminating the block feature.

Twitter Blocking Feature Consequences on App Stores

Elon Musk’s decision to remove the user-blocking feature from X (formerly Twitter) has raised the prospect that Apple and Google could boot the app from their app stores. This decision has ignited a firestorm of debate and concern, particularly regarding the app’s compliance with app store guidelines.

App Store and Google Play Store Guidelines

According to Apple’s App Store review guidelines, “apps with user-generated content or social networking services must include the ability to block abusive users from the service.” Similarly, Google Play’s policies on restricted content state that apps must provide an in-app system for blocking user-generated content (UGC) and users.

The removal of the account-blocking feature could run afoul of these rules. However, Musk’s approach to this issue may sometimes result in the app being banned.

Compliance with App Store Requirements

X could make the case to Apple and Google that an enhanced mute function is functionally equivalent to user-blocking and would bring it into compliance with the app stores’ requirements. The acceptance of this argument is still unknown.

Concerns and Backlash

Musk’s decision has raised enormous red flags among those who fear the change will eradicate a vital safety mechanism for reducing harassment and abuse on the platform. Anti-bullying activists and users have expressed their concerns, urging X’s management to rethink removing the Twitter blocking feature.

The potential impact on app store listings, user safety, and the broader implications for free speech and censorship are all part of a multifaceted issue that continues to unfold.

Musk’s approach, characterized by some as a “free speech absolutist” stance, challenges conventional thinking about online interaction and safety. Whether his vision for a “super-mute” feature will satisfy users and app store requirements remains to be seen.

Also Read: Video Calls on Twitter (X) without sharing phone numbers