Elon Musk to remove 'block' feature on X in new update 

Musk has announced the removal of the 'block' feature, which would still be in DMs. The platform will retain the mute function.

Elon Musk is going to take out the 'block' button from X, a feature which is used to restrict accounts, which he says 'makes no sense'. The feature, however, would still be an option for people on direct messages (DMs).

Block is going to be deleted as a “feature”, except for DMs

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023

He has also mentioned that the platform will continue to retain the ability to mute specific accounts and words. Musk's decision might be to sustain 'free speech' on the app, which he has propagated multiple times.

However, the sentiment hasn't been welcomed by most users who have objected to the announcement citing the role played by the feature in censoring harassment and spamming.

Musk, in turn, has been blocking people who are complaining about the said statement, saying that they will be working on strengthening the mute function. This decision is a long time coming, Musk has tweeted about removing the block feature multiple times.

Yes, the obvious move is to strengthen the mute function by making anything posted by the muted account invisible to you. Right now, both mute and block are partly broken.

It should also be made easy to continue to follow an account, while blocking their ability to DM you.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 21, 2023

Also read: Elon Musk’s X (Twitter) shuts down follower growth ad business

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has backed Musk's decision and has suggested that a stronger feature than block will have to be introduced to ensure the safety of the concerned users.

Our users’ safety on X is our number one priority. And we’re building something better than the current state of block and mute. Please keep the feedback coming. https://t.co/ekIvyOhRqQ

— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) August 19, 2023

This move might be met with resistance from Apple's App Store and Alphabet's Google Play Store. Apple says that apps with user-generated content need to have the ability to block abusive users while Google Play Store has mentioned that apps must provide an in-app system for blocking user-generated content and users.