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X Updates Block Function: Blocked Users Can View Public Posts

Elon Musk’s platform changes blocking rules, sparking controversy

05 November 2024 · 10:54 UTC

Elon Musk-led social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, introduces an update that enables users who are blocked to see the public posts of the accounts that blocked them.

This change affects posts marked as public but still restricts the blocked users from engaging with the content, meaning they cannot like, reply, repost, or send direct messages.

Blocking will still prevent these users from following the account or being followed back by it.

The update has garnered criticism, as the social media company argues for a broader sharing of content, while critics like software engineer Tracy Chou point to privacy concerns and the ease of further negative interactions.

As part of the new guidelines, users must re-follow any account they previously blocked and then unblocked.

This controversial decision aims to redefine how public interactions can be managed on the platform, amidst ongoing debates about user safety and privacy.