Elon Musk Says that “X” will Stop Ability to Block Accounts

Elon Musk has announced the removal of the ‘block’ feature from microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Replying  to a tweet by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, Musk claimed that the ability to block will soon be deleted as a feature from X, saying that “it makes no sense”. However, it will still available for direct messages.

Is there ever a reason to block vs mute someone?

Give your reasons.

— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) August 18, 2023

It makes no sense

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023

However, Musk has clarified that X would retain the mute option, which screens a user from seeing a specific account. However, unlike blocking, it doesn’t alert the other account to this action.

Blocking is a must-have for any social media network and provides its users with necessary benefits, ranging from cleaning up spam in their replies to avoiding hate-fueled harassment. However, Musk’s feelings towards the feature appear to be less than positive. Over the past year, he has made his thoughts about it clear: he has complained about large block lists and mass blocking campaigns and, in June, has claimed that Twitter should remove blocking in favor of “a stronger form of mute”. With that context, his latest announcement is not particularly surprising. However, considering Musk’s history of delayed or dismissed promises, there’s no telling when – of if – his decision will be implemented.

This controversial decision was predictably met with anger from the X and the wider internet. Some users understandably sought to make light of such the unexpected announcement:

Other users tried to emphasize the potentially harmful implications of Musk’s decision:

This is a huge mistake. Block is a critical feature on this app.

Regretted minutes would skyrocket. There are certain evil people that users just don’t want following them or replying to them. Scammers, cyber stalkers, etc.

I suspect many people would abandon X if they can’t… pic.twitter.com/tPLMjFHA5y

— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) August 18, 2023

Bring back the Nazis.
Let them get verified.
Put ads next to them.
And get rid of the Block feature.

What could possibly go wrong?

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 18, 2023

The tl;dr is Block is a form of moderation for users.

Sure, you can think of political people who are lightning rods, but all journalists, including those who cover gaming, are about to get a lot more “unfriendly engagement,” which they then can spend an hour muting.

— Daniel Rubino (@Daniel_Rubino) August 18, 2023

Only time will tell if Musk decides to go through with his evidently unpopular plan, and what effects it will have on the wider X community.