X, formerly known as Twitter, is making a big change to its “blocking” feature. The Elon Musk-owned company announced the change weeks ago, leading thousands of users to consider switching to alternative platforms. Starting today, your blocked users on X will be able to see posts in your feed (and vice versa), both on the website and in the app.
Blocked users will now be able to see your posts on X, but not interact
Previously, a blocked user couldn’t snoop on your profile posts. Your account would only display a message notifying the other party about the block. However, now your posts will be visible to people you’ve blocked at some point. They won’t be able to interact with your posts in any way, whether by responding, sharing, or liking, though they can report them. The blocked user won’t be able to send you DMs either.
X has used its arguments to make the decision. According to the company, malicious accounts could take advantage of the platform’s blocking feature to harass or persecute other people. They have detected cases of accounts that blocked a particular individual for sharing private data or potentially damaging information about them. Now, people affected by this modus operandi could detect these posts and report them if necessary.
Another reason that may have inspired the new behavior of the “blocking” feature is public officials or organizations that, for one reason or another, block people. There are accounts like this that share important information that everyone should be aware of, and the new behavior of the feature allows it.
It’s notable that accounts set to “Private” will continue to have the same behavior. That is, the posts will not be accessible to others without prior approval from the account owner. This allows X users who want to keep their posts visible only in a closed circle to still do so.
It wasn’t too difficult to bypass the block before
There are some voices against the update that allows blocked users to see your posts on X. “Enabling blocked users to see posts is catering to abusers and stalkers, indulging and facilitating their behaviors,” said London Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman. However, it wasn’t that difficult to bypass a block to see someone else’s posts. You just had to open their account in an Incognito browser tab or in a normal tab without logging in, for instance. So, it’s not like potential stalkers faced an “impenetrable shield” before.
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