X is getting ready to modify the way its block button works. Soon, even after you block an account, the user can still see your posts that are visible to the public.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, responded on Monday, saying that the “block function will block that account from engaging with, but not block seeing, public post.”
Since the 2006 MySpace era, blocking other users has been a standard function of social networking. But now, on X, the usefulness of this tool is called into doubt.
Nima Owji, an independent app researcher and web developer, noticed the modifications to X’s blocking policy for the first time on Monday, according to a TechCrunch report.
Musk did point out that although accounts that have been blocked will be able to view a user’s posts on X, they will not be able to communicate or connect with others who have blocked them.
At the moment, X shows a “You’re blocked” notification if you attempt to access the profile of someone who has blocked you. It not only hides all of their posts but also their replies, media, followers, and the following list.
Musk earlier remarked that the X’s blocking feature “makes no sense” and criticised it. In August of last year, he even threatened to completely remove the blocking option, declaring that it was “going to be deleted as a ‘feature,’ except for DMs.”
Experts have noted that in addition to user privacy, Musk’s choice may have operational and legal ramifications.
Mobile applications containing user-generated material must provide tools for banning abusive users, according to stringent standards enforced by Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
If X doesn’t follow these rules, it can be taken down from popular app shops.
It is yet unclear how users will react to these changes and there is no fixed date for when they will go into effect.
We earlier reported that X has now formally released the beta version of X TV, which it described as “a massive leap forward in transforming X into a video-first platform,” following months of releasing teases of the new TV app.
