People you block on X (formerly Twitter) may be able to see your public posts

Twitter X (formerly Twitter) has a 'block' feature that prevents a user's posts from appearing on your timeline and prevents you from seeing their profile or posts. Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter X, has expressed his desire to abolish this blocking feature, and has reportedly posted that he intends to allow blocked users to see his public posts.

X will let people you've blocked see your posts - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/23/24252438/x-blocked-users-view-public-posts

Even back when it was Twitter, X stated that the blocking feature was an effective way to avoid interactions with accounts you don't want to be involved with, as a way to 'make X more comfortable to use.'

Customizing X | X Help
https://help.x.com/ja/safety-and-security/control-your-x-experience

At the time of writing, if you try to view the profile of a blocked user, you will see the message 'Blocked,' and you will not be able to see their posts, followers/following list, or posted media.

However, Musk has previously stated his intention to remove the blocking function from the X, saying that the blocking function is 'useless.' However, it has been pointed out that removing the blocking function is not a realistic idea, since the app distribution guidelines of the App Store and Google Play require SNS apps to have a 'blocking function.'

Elon Musk suggests removing the block function on Twitter, but says in a community note that it's 'impossible' - GIGAZINE

Meanwhile, app developer Nima Ouji posted, 'X is trying to remove the block button, which means that if your account is public, your posts will be visible to blocked users.'

BREAKING: X is about to remove the current block button, meaning that if an account is public, their posts will be visible to the blocked users as well!

— Nima Owji (@nima_owji) September 23, 2024

In response to Ouji's post, Musk said, 'It's about time this happened. Blocked accounts are blocked from engaging with public posts, but are not blocked from viewing them.'

High time this happened.

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

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 23, 2024

Musk's post has been met with numerous replies in opposition to the change.

'This is the worst idea since the (Twitter) rebrand.'

Worst idea ever since rebranding.

— LFAF (@LFAFSTYLE) September 23, 2024

'With all due respect, I think this is a bad idea. There are lots of reasons why you might not want certain individuals to easily see your public posts. Sadly, there are some really bad people on social media.'

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

— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) September 23, 2024

'What this means is that the person who blocked you can now steal your posts for engagement. Before, you could be blocked and not see your posts, so you could avoid that, at least unless they had a subaccount.'

That means blocked people can steal your posts for engagement. Previously they couldn't see what you posted so it at least avoided that unless they had a second account...

— CID (@theonecid) September 23, 2024

According to an X insider who spoke to The Verge, an IT news site, the change is being made because 'even now, you can still view posts from people who have blocked you by using a different account or logging out.'