X’s New Privacy Twist: Blocked Users Can Still Peek at Your Posts—Here’s What It Means for Users

Introduction

X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a controversial update: users who’ve been blocked may still be able to view the public posts of the person who blocked them. This change has sparked widespread debate over user privacy on the platform, raising questions about what “blocking” really means in this new setup. Many users are now reconsidering the extent of privacy and control X provides, especially under its revamped rules since Elon Musk’s takeover.

What’s Changed?

Under X’s latest policy, blocking users doesn’t guarantee complete isolation. While blocked users cannot interact with or follow the accounts that blocked them, they can still access public posts by viewing profiles or through third-party links. This modification dilutes the functionality of blocking, which users previously depended on to limit unwanted viewing and engagement.

Traditionally, the block feature prevented blocked accounts from seeing any posts from the user who blocked them—except on rare occasions where third-party viewing tools or alternate accounts were used. However, X’s new rules make it possible for blocked users to view public posts directly, as long as they access them without interacting through their original account.

Why X Made This Change

While X hasn’t given a clear rationale for this adjustment, some speculate it is part of Elon Musk’s broader goal to make X a more “open” social media platform. Musk’s approach to X has focused on free speech and limiting restrictions within the platform, as seen with the introduction of less moderated content and allowing previously banned users back onto the platform.

This feature adjustment may align with Musk’s philosophy by reducing limitations on content accessibility, effectively emphasizing that users should be aware of the public nature of their posts on X.

User Reactions and Privacy Concerns

Many users have voiced concerns, pointing out that the change undermines a sense of control over who can view their content. In certain cases—like harassment or stalking—people rely on the block function to protect themselves from unwanted visibility and engagement. This new policy has led to fears that X may be prioritizing its platform’s reach over user privacy, placing a burden on users to make content private or adopt workarounds if they want to fully restrict access to blocked accounts.

In response, users who are more privacy-conscious may switch to using X’s “private account” setting, which limits visibility to approved followers only. However, this feature removes the user’s content from public discourse, creating a trade-off between privacy and engagement.

Alternatives and What Users Can Do Now

While blocking on X no longer entirely restricts visibility, users still have some options:

1. Switch to a Private Account: By setting their account to private, users can ensure that only approved followers can view their posts.
2. Use the “Mute” Option: Muting allows users to avoid seeing specific accounts’ posts without notifying the muted account. This is an option for users who want to limit interaction without restricting visibility.
3. Report Violations: If harassment or inappropriate behavior is a concern, users can report accounts for violating X’s policies.

For users who wish to avoid this issue altogether, there are also alternative social media platforms like Mastodon or Threads, which offer different privacy approaches.

Conclusion

X’s decision to allow blocked users partial visibility of public posts reflects a shift toward openness but raises privacy concerns that many users feel undermine the original purpose of the block feature. This change is yet another example of the adjustments underway on X as the platform continues to evolve under new ownership. Users who prioritize privacy may need to consider alternative privacy settings or even other platforms to maintain control over their online visibility.

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