Elon Musk’s latest move to eliminate Twitter/X’s block function has raised serious questions about the platform’s commitment to protecting its users, especially women. The platform’s owner recently announced that blocked users will soon be able to view all public posts, an unsettling change that prevents users from entirely shielding their profiles from unwanted attention. Journalist Claire Cohen is one of many women raising alarm, describing how the block button has been essential in protecting her and others from harassment and inappropriate interactions. Without it, women will lose a fundamental tool that makes social media even remotely safe.
The removal of full blocking capabilities essentially grants unrestricted access to those who wish to intrude, intimidate, or simply disregard personal boundaries. While Musk claims this will only prevent direct engagement, it’s a far cry from the security many women rely on. The numbers speak volumes—female user rates have been steadily dropping on Twitter/X, from 44% in 2018 to 38% in 2023. And as Cohen points out, such changes only reinforce the message that women’s concerns aren’t a priority on Musk’s platform.
This change goes beyond tech tweaks; it’s about entitlement, removing a safeguard that previously allowed women to filter out unwelcome interactions, often laced with creepy, suggestive, or even threatening overtones. For Cohen, who has blocked countless users over inappropriate comments and harassment, Musk’s change is a backward step that invites more unsolicited comments into her space. Many women find comfort in knowing they can control who sees their online presence—control that Musk’s decision effectively erodes.
Adding to the growing concerns are Musk’s other controversial actions on Twitter/X, including his questionable interactions with high-profile female figures, like Taylor Swift, which some have interpreted as personal grudges influencing platform policy. For now, women on Twitter/X brace for a new wave of exposure to the same users they once blocked, and many are already considering abandoning the platform altogether.
As Cohen concludes, eliminating the block feature is a dangerous move that may lead women and other vulnerable users to rethink their place on Twitter/X. For some, it may signal the end of Twitter/X as a safe space, further narrowing their options for expression in the social media world.
