The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, will no longer allow users to block other accounts.
On Friday, Elon Musk announced the news while responding to an account that asked its followers if they prefer blocking or muting users. In a subsequent tweet, Musk revealed that he will be deleting it.
“Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs,” Elon Musk wrote in a tweet. “Makes no sense. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO added in an additional tweet, "You will still be able to mute accounts and block users for DMs."
Twitter users have not responded well to the news and for good reason. The blocking feature has been viewed as a safety benefit of Twitter, allowing users to prevent accounts from harassing them, among other things.
“Twitter gives people a variety of tools to control their experience, including blocking,” Twitter writes on its help page. “Blocking helps people in restricting specific accounts from contacting them, seeing their Tweets, and following them. If you have been blocked by another account on Twitter, you can still block other accounts (including any that have blocked you).”
For what it's worth, his plans may not go far. In a reader-added note included with the tweet, the block feature is required by social media apps in the app store.
The news arrives days after the tech mogul announced plans to pay for the legal fees of anyone who got fired for posting controversial content.
"If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill. No limit. Please let us know," Musk tweeted on Aug. 5.
