Social media firm X, previously generally known as Twitter, will take away a protecting characteristic that lets customers block different accounts, proprietor Elon Musk stated on Friday in one other controversial transfer for the corporate he purchased final 12 months.
The block operate on X permits a consumer to limit particular accounts from contacting them, seeing their posts or following them.
“Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs,” Musk stated in a put up on the platform, referring to direct messages.
Block goes to be deleted as a “feature”, aside from DMs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023
He stated X would retain the mute operate, which screens a consumer from seeing specified accounts however, not like blocking, doesn’t alert the opposite account to the motion.
The billionaire proprietor has described himself as a free speech absolutist, however some critics have stated his strategy is irresponsible. Researchers have discovered a rise in hate speech and antisemitic content material on the platform since he took over, and a few governments have accused the corporate of not doing sufficient to reasonable its content material.
Removing or limiting the block characteristic would possibly carry X into battle with tips included by Apple’s App Store and Alphabet’s Google Play.
Apple says apps with user-generated content material will need to have the flexibility to dam abusive customers. Google Play Store says apps should present an in-app system for blocking user-generated content material and customers.
X, Google and Apple didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Responding to a put up from anti-bullying activist Monica Lewinsky urging X to maintain the “critical tool to keep people safe online”, Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino defended Musk’s transfer.
“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 firm has stated Musk would lead the product and engineering groups, whereas Yaccarino would lead all different groups, together with authorized and gross sales.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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