Now, the people you’ve blocked will be able to view — but not interact with — your public posts.
In a controversial update, X (formerly known as Twitter) will now allow users you’ve blocked to view your public posts. This significant change was confirmed by X’s owner, Elon Musk, in a recent exchange on the platform. Musk clarified that, while blocking a user will prevent them from interacting with your content, it will no longer hide your public posts from their view. In his words, “blocking will prevent engagement, but it won’t stop them from seeing public posts.”
Previously, if someone tried to view the profile of a user who blocked them, they were met with a “You’re blocked” notification, denying them access to all posts, replies, media, and the blocked user’s follower and following lists. This functionality offered a layer of privacy and protection from unwanted viewers.
However, the change was reportedly made due to the fact that blocked users can still view public posts by logging out or using another account. Interestingly, some users at The Verge pointed out that X restricts access to profiles when logged out, which adds a layer of complexity to the issue.
Musk, who has been critical of the block feature in the past, previously called it senseless and argued that it should be replaced with a more robust “mute” option. He has even suggested doing away with the block feature entirely, with exceptions only for direct messages.
Although the block button will still prevent blocked users from engaging with your posts, they will now have the ability to view them. This adjustment has sparked concerns, especially among users who rely on blocking to avoid harassment or toxic interactions online. Critics worry that this change could make it easier for bad actors to continue stalking or harassing their targets, despite being blocked.
As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, this update represents a shift in how users manage their online privacy and safety on the platform. Whether this change will improve user experience or lead to more negative encounters remains to be seen, but it’s certain to spark debate about the balance between free speech and personal safety on social media.
