The announcement of X’s policy change was announced by Elon Musk via his account on the social network.
In an unexpected move, social network X (formerly known as Twitter) is implementing a significant change in its blocking dynamics. The platform will allow blocked users to view the public posts of those who have blocked them.
However, although these people will have access to view the content, they will not be able to interact with it; that is, the options to reply, “like”, share or any other interaction will be disabled for these users.
https://x.com/nima_owji/status/1838277999256342777
What does this change mean for users?
Blocking on social networks is a crucial tool for those who want to control who can access and interact with their content. Until now, when someone was blocked on X, they were completely prevented from seeing the blocking user’s posts, even if those posts were public.
This new change relaxes that restriction, allowing blocked users to see posts, but keeping them isolated from any kind of interaction.
Blocking, up to this point, has functioned as a means to prevent harassment, unwanted comments or any other negative interactions on the platform. The new policy seems to aim for more openness on the platform, allowing blocks to be less visually restrictive, but maintaining control over interactions. In this way, public content remains accessible to all, but without opening the door to invasive behavior.
The fact that those blocked can only view posts without interacting creates a new balance between accessibility and protection. While some users may be concerned that their blocked may be able to see what they post, others may find comfort in knowing that there will be no direct way for those blocked to interfere with their online activity.
User reactions and the implications.
The change, announced by Elon Musk, has sparked debate among the X user community. While some see the move as a way to improve the transparency and accessibility of the platform, others are skeptical. One of the most common concerns lies in the use of blocking as an anti-harassment tool, as this policy could allow unwanted individuals to continue consuming public content undetected.
In terms of technical implications, this decision puts X in a unique position compared to other social networks, such as Facebook or Instagram, where total blocking is still the norm. This change also raises questions about future changes to the platform’s privacy policy. Some users could choose to make their accounts private to prevent blocked people from accessing their content, which could influence how content creators manage their public presence on the social network.
On the other hand, it also opens a discussion about the effectiveness of blocking under this new scheme. While blocking will still prevent any unwanted interaction, the fact that those blocked can still view content could reduce the sense of control for some users. This measure may put additional pressure on users to be more aware of what they post, as the scope of their posts will no longer be completely restricted, even if they choose to block someone.