X, formerly known as Twitter, is going to remove the protective feature that lets users block other accounts, owner Elon Musk said on Friday in another controversial move for the company he bought last year.
The point of having the block function on X, is so that users can restrict specific accounts from contacting them, seeing their posts or following them. “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs,” Musk said in a post on the platform, referring to direct messages.
Musk also went on to reveal that the platform will be retaining the mute function, which screens a user from seeing specified accounts but, unlike blocking, does not alert the other account to the action.
Researchers have found an increase in hate speech and antisemitic content on the platform since Elon Musk took over, and some governments have accused the company of not doing enough to moderate its content.
Removing or limiting the block feature might be problematic for the company, since it into conflict with guidelines incorporated by the Apple App Store and Google’s Play store.
Apple has a strict rule that apps with user-generated content must have the ability to block abusive users. Google Play Store has a similar rule, as it says apps must provide an in-app system for blocking user-generated content and users.
CEO Linda Yaccarino defended Musk’s move and responded to a post from anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky urging X to keep the “critical tool to keep people safe online”
“Our users’ safety on X is our number one priority. And we’re building something better than the current state of block and mute. Please keep the feedback coming,” Yaccarino posted.
The company mentioned that Musk would lead the product and engineering teams, while Yaccarino would lead all other teams, including legal and sales.
