Elon Musk has unveiled plans for a new update on social media platform X, which has led to some concerns and criticisms from users. The proposed update involves modifying the platform’s blocking tool so that blocked accounts can view public posts but not interact with them. Currently, when a user blocks another account, the blocked account is unable to see or engage with any activity on the blocker’s profile. Responding to feedback on the change, Mr. Musk commented that it was “high time this happened” and clarified that the block function would prevent the account from engaging with public posts but not from seeing them.
However, the announcement of this update has sparked worries about the safety and security of users, particularly women, on the platform. Many users have expressed that the block feature is crucial for addressing real-world safety issues, with women often using it to protect themselves from direct threats of abuse and violence. Critics of the proposed change argue that allowing blocked accounts to still view a user’s posts could compromise the protection currently provided by the feature, potentially leaving vulnerable individuals exposed.
A report by Refuge, a charity dedicated to the safety of women and children, revealed that over one in three women in the UK have faced online abuse on social media, affecting around 11 million women nationwide. The report also highlighted that one in six women have experienced abuse from a partner or ex-partner, with online abuse being twice as common among young women, of whom 62% admitted to experiencing it.
Neither X nor Elon Musk have provided a timeline for when the proposed update might be implemented. The potential implications of this change on user safety and security, particularly for vulnerable individuals, continue to be a subject of concern and debate among users of the platform. The need to balance user interactions with maintaining a safe online environment remains a key consideration for social media platforms in addressing these challenges.