Twitter’s Block Button Faces Extinction as Elon Musk Deems It “Senseless”

Twitter, the microblogging platform that has been undergoing a rebranding effort as “X,” is poised to bid farewell to a long-standing feature that has allowed users to block unwanted followers. The impending change comes as a result of site owner Elon Musk’s declaration that the blocking function “makes no sense.” This decision, while intriguing, raises questions about how it will be executed, especially considering the requirements of major app stores that demand the inclusion of a blocking option.

Elon Musk’s proclamation came via his personal Twitter account on Friday, responding to a user inquiry about the distinction between blocking and muting. In response, Musk succinctly stated, “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature,’ except for DMs.” He rapidly followed up his statement with the assertion, “It makes no sense.”

While Musk refrained from detailing the rationale behind his decision, it is not the first time he has expressed reservations about the block button. In previous instances, he advocated for a more robust version of the mute feature as an alternative. Currently, the mute option permits users to conceal followers’ posts from their feeds, but the muted account can still access content from the muting user. In contrast, the block feature completely severs all future interaction between the two accounts.

Elon Musk’s concerns also extend to what he has labeled “giant block lists.” These lists, which are compilations of accounts that users can block en masse, have provoked Musk’s criticism due to their perceived impact on Twitter’s recommendation system. According to his perspective, these extensive block lists “mess up the recommendation system,” potentially undermining the platform’s ability to provide users with relevant content and connections.

Yet, implementing the removal of the block button might not be a straightforward task. Both Google and Apple, major players in the realm of app stores, have stipulated that applications available through their platforms must incorporate blocking mechanisms. Google’s Play Store mandates the inclusion of “an in-app system for blocking [user-generated content] and users,” while Apple demands that apps in its store possess the “ability to block abusive users from the service.”

The impending alteration to Twitter’s functionality, whether met with approval or skepticism, stands as a testament to the evolving nature of social media platforms. As the digital landscape continues to transform, users and observers alike will be keenly watching how this decision shapes the dynamics of online interactions within the Twitter community and beyond.