Elon Musk's social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, is once again under criticism following its plans to alter the "blocking" functionality that has sparked concerns about user safety. The change, which was initially announced last month, has begun to be rolled out, notifying some users of its imminent implementation.
Under the new rules, accounts that have been blocked will still have the capability to view public posts from the accounts that blocked them, even though they won't be able to interact with those posts. This adjustment represents a significant shift from the current system, which entirely prevents blocked users from seeing or interacting with the blocker’s content.
Elon Musk, who took ownership of the platform in 2022, asserts that the amendment to the block function was overdue. However, the move has drawn heavy criticism from various quarters, including domestic violence charities. Refuge, a UK-based charity focused on supporting survivors of domestic abuse, has expressed grave concerns regarding the implications of this change. Jessica Eagelton, the head of policy and public affairs at Refuge, spoke to the Press Association about the risks this adjustment poses to those who have previously experienced abuse online, arguing that it limits the ability of individuals to control their exposure to potential harassment or stalking.
Eagelton emphasised that women and girls are particularly vulnerable and criticised X's recommendation for users to switch their profiles to private if they wish to avoid blocked users seeing their public posts. According to Eagelton, forcing users to go private undermines their ability to maintain a presence and influence on the platform, thus effectively silencing those who would otherwise contribute to public discourse.
This development comes amid broader critiques of social media platforms' responsibilities in curbing online abuse. A 2021 report by Refuge highlighted that over one-third of women in the UK have encountered online abuse, with a significant portion of this stemming from partners or ex-partners. The report also noted a greater prevalence of online abuse among younger women, with 62% reporting experiences of such harassment.
In tandem with changes to the block function, X has also updated its Terms of Service, which have sparked discussions regarding content rights. The new terms grant X and affiliated entities expansive rights to user-generated content, including the ability to use it for machine learning and artificial intelligence training—a policy that some users and content creators find contentious.
The update to the blocking function has raised alarms among users who fear possible removal from major app distribution platforms such as the Google Playstore and Apple's App Store, which require apps to have robust blocking mechanisms for user-generated content. These concerns are compounded by the fact that changes to the Terms of Service are set to take effect by 15 November.
As users and advocacy groups continue to voice their concerns, the adjustments to X's service lines have marked another chapter in the evolving narrative of Elon Musk's stewardship over the platform, highlighting ongoing tensions between innovation, privacy, and safety in the digital age.
Source: Noah Wire Services