Elon Musk’s Twitter X is once again in the spotlight due to a significant change proposed by Musk himself. In a tweet, he announced his intention to remove the block feature from Twitter X, except for direct messages (DMs). This decision has sparked controversy and concerns among users and observers.
Details of the new changes on Twitter X
Musk has a track record of testing new ideas on Twitter X, often seeking feedback from users before implementing changes. In this instance, his proposal to remove the block feature has garnered backlash from users who see blocking as an essential tool to combat harassment, trolls, and spam on the platform.
Some users have expressed concerns that removing the block feature could result in an increase in toxic behavior and make it more challenging to manage and control interactions on the platform. Others have pointed out that blocking is not only used for personal disagreements but also serves as a critical tool to protect users from online abuse.
Additionally, Musk’s proposed change might run afoul of Apple’s App Store Guidelines. Apps that include “user-generated content” are required to have mechanisms for filtering objectionable material, reporting offensive content, and allowing users to block abusive users. If Twitter X fails to adhere to these guidelines, it could potentially face removal from the App Store.
Musk’s handling of changes on Twitter X has led to speculation about his management approach and the platform’s future direction. Since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, he has rebranded it as Twitter X, introduced various changes to the interface, and expressed ambitions to transform the platform into a multi-functional super app akin to China’s WeChat.
As with previous changes, it remains to be seen how Musk and Twitter X will respond to user feedback and whether the proposed removal of the block feature will proceed as planned or be reconsidered in light of the concerns raised by the user community.
