1 week Ago By Samuel Nwite
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, has officially rolled out a controversial change to its blocking function, sparking a wave of user backlash and an apparent exodus to alternative platforms. The new policy means that blocking another user on X no longer prevents them from viewing your content; instead, it merely restricts their ability to interact with your posts. This shift, which had been anticipated after Musk hinted at changes to the blocking feature, has raised significant user safety concerns, with many accusing Musk of forcing his posts down the throats of many users who have blocked him.
Musk is one of the most blocked individuals on X, a situation many believe has not augured well with him since he found out. Previously, blocking someone on X ensured that the blocked user could neither see nor interact with the content of the person who blocked them. The change has fundamentally altered this aspect, with blocked users now able to view posts but unable to engage through replies, likes, or shares.
Irked users argue that this undermines the platform’s ability to provide a safe space for users, particularly those who have experienced harassment, stalking, or abusive behavior online. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . Some of Musk’s supporters even expressed concern over the implications of this change. Many users fear that it will embolden trolls and harassers, making it difficult for individuals to control who can access their content.
The platform’s decision has ignited a debate over online safety, privacy, and the need for social media companies to protect vulnerable users. Bluesky Gains 500,000 New Users in 24 Hours The backlash against the changes on X has translated into significant user gains for Bluesky, a rival micro-blogging platform. Just one day after X made the formal announcement about the blocking policy adjustment, Bluesky reported an influx of 500,000 new users.
The platform’s official account excitedly welcomed “100k+ people” who had joined in the 12 hours following the announcement. update: half a million new people in the last day ?welcome, ????????, ??, bem-vindo! ?? — Bluesky (@bsky.app) 2024-10-17T17:00:19.
693Z Bluesky’s growth is not entirely surprising, as the platform has often benefited from user dissatisfaction with Musk’s management of X. After his acquisition of Twitter in 2022, many users sought alternatives, and Bluesky, founded by Jack Dorsey, Twitter cofounder, emerged as a popular option alongside Meta’s Threads. Unlike X and Threads, Bluesky is structured as a public benefit corporation, promoting itself as a decentralized social media platform that prioritizes user autonomy.
The timing of Bluesky’s recent surge follows another significant uptick in growth just last month when Brazil banned X for failing to comply with its legal requirements. The platform reported gaining 3 million new users in a week, reaching the 10 million user milestone shortly afterward. With this latest wave of disaffected X users, Bluesky has now surpassed 11 million registered accounts, solidifying its position as the third-largest micro-blogging platform behind X and Threads.
User Migration and the Impact on X X has faced a series of setbacks under Musk’s leadership, with each controversial policy decision appearing to drive users toward competing platforms. The “block” function change represents another turning point, as the platform continues to struggle with user retention amid declining trust in its direction. The decision to modify how blocking works is seen by many as the latest in a line of changes that prioritize engagement metrics over user safety.
The departure of high-profile users like Jane Manchun Wong, known for her insights into upcoming app features, further illustrates the discontent among users. Many are opting to switch to platforms like Bluesky or Threads, which are perceived to offer a more user-friendly and safer experience. While Musk’s changes to X aim to revamp the platform’s user experience, they have also created opportunities for competitors to capitalize on user dissatisfaction.
Both Bluesky and Threads have seen periodic surges in sign-ups in response to contentious decisions by Musk, reflecting a growing trend of users seeking alternative digital spaces. For Bluesky, the recent influx of new users presents an opportunity to further refine its platform and attract more people fleeing X. As it continues to grow, the decentralized platform could pose a significant challenge to X’s market dominance, especially if Musk’s policy changes continue to alienate users.
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