Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has introduced an update that allows blocked users to view your public posts and follower lists.
X Engineering announced the rollout of this new block function. According to the platform, while blocked users can see public posts, they cannot interact with them, such as replying or reposting.
The block feature on X helps users control interactions by preventing specific accounts from following, messaging directly, or engaging with their content.
Musk has previously stated that preventing people from viewing public posts “makes no sense.” Despite its controversy, X is implementing this update, enabling blocked users to see public posts.
According to X’s guidelines, “Blocked accounts cannot follow you, nor can you follow a blocked account. If you block someone you follow, you will automatically unfollow each other. You must manually follow the account again if you decide to unblock them.”
Despite this update, blocked users cannot follow the blocker, engage with their posts, or send direct messages.
Additionally, software engineer Tracy Chou has developed an app for automating the blocking process. She argues that creating barriers for potential harassers is essential, as they might otherwise create new accounts to bypass blocks.
X has stated that the block feature can also manage the visibility of sensitive or harmful information. However, this change has sparked protests from users concerned about privacy and control.
