X app to change how blocking works for better transparency

X (formerly Twitter) will change how blocking works on the social media platform. The modification in the visibility of Tweets could boost transparency on the app.

Blocking to change on the X app soon

X has quite effective and rather stringent blocking rules, which have largely remained unchanged. Once an X user blocks another user, the former’s Tweets become inaccessible to the latter.

Elon Musk recently indicated he had plans to get rid of “blocking,” as we know it. The X Engineering team has posted on the micro-blogging network about how blocking would change.

… indicates blocking will change soon and offers more details on how it will be implemented. Previously, the entire catalog of Tweets or posts would become inaccessible if an X user would block another. This would not happen in the near future.

What this means is that moving forward, even if an X user blocks someone, their posts will remain visible. The only criteria that will impact visibility is whether ...s are ‘public’ or not. In other words, unless the X user marks their posts as private, they will remain visible and accessible to everyone.

It is important to note that blocked users won’t be able to like, reply, or repost on the Tweets. However, they would have access to all public Tweets of the user who blocked them.

Soon we’ll be launching a change to how the block function works.

If your posts are set to public, accounts you have blocked will be able to view them, but they will not be able to engage (like, reply, repost, etc.).

— Engineering (@XEng) October 16, 2024

Will all accounts and their Tweets be visible to blocked users?

According to the @XEng account, changing how blocking works on X, “is meant to increase transparency, as now users will be able to see if others are trying to hide or share harmful or private information about them”.

Needless to say, Musk seemed to be against the way blocking worked on his social media platform. Although the tech company had indicated in May this year that blocking would change, Musk had claimed that blocking as a feature was going to be deleted, except for DMs, last year.

Musk has been quite vocal about promoting free speech. X has claimed that the change ensures users are able to see all public posts as it will help to protect free speech and enhance transparency.

As expected, X users seem divided on the platform’s decision to change how blocking works. Many claim the change removes a very important privacy feature. While several users reportedly fear this could lead to increased harassment. Proponents of the change suggest public figures and their Tweets should remain accessible to everyone.

Block is going to be deleted as a “feature”, except for DMs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023