Elon Musk, known for his often controversial ideas, has proposed a new measure on X that has been generating controversy since the end of last week: the removal of the ability to block other users. According to Musk, this feature “makes no sense,” and instead, he suggests that users use the mute option.
The measure, which was announced by Musk on X without providing specific details or giving us an idea of when it would be implemented, has triggered an immediate reaction within the user community. Many believe that the ability to block others is essential for controlling abuse and harassment on the platform. And users aren’t the only concerned parties, as a matter of fact, there is a hurdle that could potentially prevent this proposal from ever coming to fruition: Apple’s App Store rules.
The blockade controversy
Blocking is a vital tool on X that allows us, as users, to prevent others from seeing or interacting with our profile, tweets, replies, and content in general. Unlike the mute function, which simply prevents a user’s posts from appearing on our timeline or in response to our content, blocking stops all contact between accounts and prevents the blocked person from seeing us. For many, it’s a way to safeguard against those who, for whatever reason, should not see us.
Musk’s suggestion to eliminate this function has raised concerns that it could lead to an increase in harassment on the platform. Despite being a frequent user of the block button in the past, Musk seems to have shifted his stance, stating that even negative feedback is a good thing. The change, however, might not come to pass with the removal of the blocking option.
App Store rules
Musk’s proposal faces a significant obstacle rooted in Apple’s App Store guidelines. According to these rules, applications with “user-generated content” must provide methods for filtering objectionable material, mechanisms for reporting offensive content, and the ability to block abusive users. If Twitter removes the blocking function, it could potentially be in violation of these guidelines.
This situation presents a dilemma for X. Clearly, the option of compelling Apple to remove the app from the store due to rule violations is not a feasible one. As of now, Elon Musk has deleted the original post, which interestingly, Jack Dorsey, former CEO of Twitter, had agreed with.
The truth is that Musk’s proposal to eliminate the blocking function on X is a complex issue that goes beyond a simple preference for using the mute function. It touches on deeper subjects of security, harassment, and platform accountability. Moreover, the rules of the App Store add an additional layer of complexity to the decision.
Complexity arises from the interpretation and configuration of differences between Muting and Blocking. It’s true that one of the functions could disappear depending on how they are understood. The rules might also imply that blocking has to be possible but only for administrators or the team behind the application, in which case X would have the freedom to implement the change.
Thus, it’s possible that this idea might never come to fruition, as has happened with Musk’s other passing suggestions. However, the discussion it has sparked serves as a reminder of the importance of control and security tools on social media platforms and the delicate balance they must maintain in today’s landscape.
While Threads is struggling and we discuss 5 alternatives to X, we will all be closely watching how this situation unfolds, aware that the decisions made can have a profound impact on users’ daily internet experience.
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