Twitter New Update: Blocked Users Can Now See Your Tweets, But Not Engage

In a recent announcement, Elon Musk revealed a significant change to Twitter’s blocking feature. Musk, known for shaking things up since acquiring the platform, stated that users who have been blocked can now view public posts, but they won’t be able to engage with them.

This means that while blocked individuals can still see what you post, they will not be able to like, retweet, or comment on those posts, effectively reducing their ability to interact with you while maintaining transparency on the platform.

High time this happened.

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The block function will block that account from engaging with, but not block seeing, public post.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 23, 2024

Previously, the blocking function on Twitter completely restricted someone from seeing your tweets and interacting with your profile altogether. It served as a protective measure for users who wanted to cut ties entirely with unwanted followers or harassers.

However, with this update, Musk seems to be shifting the balance toward more transparency in public discourse. The new approach emphasizes that public posts should remain accessible to everyone, even to those who may have been blocked, promoting what Musk has often referred to as “free speech” on the platform.

This change has sparked immediate debate among users. Supporters argue that the update promotes free speech and transparency, aligning with Musk’s longstanding advocacy for open conversations online. However, some are not in the favor of the change stating the feature is not good for female users.

With respect, I think this is a bad idea. There are many reasons somebody may not want certain individuals from easily seeing all their public posts. There are some REALLY bad actors on social media, sadly.

— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) September 23, 2024

By allowing blocked users to still view public content, it preserves the nature of Twitter as a public forum. However, critics worry about the potential implications for user safety and privacy, with some expressing concerns that this policy could expose individuals to passive forms of harassment or allow those blocked to track their activities without any barriers.

Musk’s decision is part of broader reforms designed to redefine Twitter’s user experience under his leadership. The platform’s approach to managing interactions and user control is evolving, and this tweak represents just one of several changes aimed at keeping the conversation flowing while restricting specific interactions.