X’s updated blocking feature allows blocked users to see your posts and followers

X (formerly known as Twitter) announced on Sunday the rollout of a new blocking feature. The social media platform first announced the decision to change the way the block works last month. The new system will allow blocked users to see the profile, posts, followers and watchlists of the users they have blocked. Several users of the platform expressed concern about the measure, highlighting the threat to their security and the higher potential of content theft.

X starts rolling out the updated block function

Blocking users on social media platforms has always worked the same way. Once blocked, the person on the receiving end cannot see the profile of the person who blocked them. This also means they can’t see or respond to their messages, check their bio or other information, or send them private messages.

However, last month X announced a change in the traditional block function. The company said that with the updated policy, blocked users will be able to see the profile and messages of whoever blocked them, although they will not be able to reply, retweet or like their messages. They also cannot send them a direct message (DM).

The sooner version of the policy did not mention the follower or following lists, but the new ones support page emphasizes that blocked users can also see them, further reducing security barriers for users. X’s official Engineering page explained the move in a after“Today, blocking can be used by users to share and hide harmful or private information about those they have blocked. With this update, users can see if such behavior is occurring, creating more transparency.”

User reception towards this update was largely negative. Responding to X’s post about the feature rollout, one user said: “Those of us who have stalkers and content thieves here don’t appreciate this change at all and shouldn’t have to lock our accounts to protect ourselves from predatory types.”

Tracy Chou, developer of the Block Party app that gives social media users an easier way to block people objected on the update, emphasizing that “making it easy for a creeper to crawl is not a good thing!!”