Sun Oct 20 08:10:00 UTC 2024: – **Change to Block Function**: Elon Musk has made a controversial change to X (formerly Twitter) that renders the block function ineffective, allowing blocked users to still view posts and profiles, which undermines user safety.
– **User Backlash**: This decision has prompted many users to leave the platform, with a significant increase in new signups to Bluesky, a competitor founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. New registrations surged from 100,000 to over 500,000 within hours.
– **Bluesky’s Response**: Bluesky is capitalizing on Twitter’s changes by promoting its own safety features, emphasizing that users can effectively block individuals on its platform.
– **Historical Context**: This isn’t the first mass exodus from Twitter since Musk’s takeover; user interest in Bluesky peaked following a previous incident where Twitter was banned in Brazil due to Musk’s noncompliance with court orders, resulting in over three million new users for Bluesky.
– **Musk’s Justification**: Musk has previously expressed that traditional blocking is flawed, claiming it can be misused by those who block others to control their narratives.
– **Concerns Over Safety**: Critics argue that the changes strip away essential protective measures for users, particularly for those who require public profiles for work but face harassment.
– **Ongoing User Decline**: Overall, X’s user base has been declining since Musk’s leadership, a trend exacerbated by his controversial decisions regarding platform policies.
First Piper 