Final Fantasy XIV needs to stop enabling abuse : We need a 2-way account-wide full block

The issue

I am calling on Square Enix to implement crucial updates to the Final Fantasy friend list / blocking features.

I played FFXIV for a very long time. And like many people worldwide I am a survivor of DV online/IRL.
I'm not special : it's a globally recognised worsening issue. Cyberstalking incidences happen every day worldwide.

I included some links to threads below as quickly googled examples (as there are so many) including stalking children and real life harrassment / crimes. The system is painfully overdue for overhaul.

Despite Square Enix saying they have strengthened anti-stalker protections for extreme situations, I and many others are still unable to return safely to their accounts.

The answer I get from Square Enix again and again is that regardless of what I do, there are still no measures implemented (even paid name/server change) where my abuser won't be able to see where I am at all times on the game. This is because at some point I had added my abuser to my friends list, despite their removal. There are countless threads online asking Square Enix to make the Friends List safe. Square Enix say they are taking stalking seriously but Square Enix are still unwilling to fix a very persistent old issue but will state in interviews that they are taking stalking seriously.

In almost all online games, including FFXI which is 24 years old, when you remove a player you are removed from their friend list in return : but the message I got back from Square Enix is this is impossible "due to technical limitations".

We need a function that is an account wide two-way blacklist & friend list removal : So neither side can message, teleport to, be auto-queued with, trade, search or see the other.

We need the game to be updated for us to initiate this process or for GMs / support to be given options to implement. One that doesn't require re-interacting with the player and can be done outside of logging in and blocks characters that are created in the future as well from each other. One that will allow submission of irl documentation as well just say 'this person is unsafe to me : we should stay away from each other'.

This would potentially take away responsibility for Square Enix as well as a decision maker as it would go both ways so it's less punitive:
"Hey, keep these two away from each other in this video game - Have them not see each other or interact". Otherwise they just play the game individually and get a chance to move on. It is the cleanest de-escalation you could ask for.

Square Enix misses out on paying customers / customer retention and needs to deal with negative in-game reactions. I would not be surprised if their inaction and ability to stalk in game could even open them up to legal action if something happens. The current way you can monitor others via friends list purely benefits stalkers.

I am hoping enough players can rally together to have Square Enix finally look at this system. Please join me in urging Square Enix to finally actually act and stop with incomplete measures with work-arounds that enable abuse. Please share this around.

P.s. Here are quickly googled examples of other people discussing this issue for a VERY long time.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/678050-final-fantasy-xiv-online-a-realm-reborn/77476166
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/494952-Stalking-and-Harassment-GM-Square-Enix-Refusal-to-act
https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/pu6zep/the_stalking_thread_spawned_an_ign_article/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comments/loq0we/stalked_after_divorce_help/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MMORPG/comments/1jql59q/is_stalking_that_prevelant_in_ff14_and_does_it/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2IY2In9VxQ

Private PrivatePetition starter

Media enquiries

12 The issue

Private PrivatePetition starter

Media enquiries

Support now

12 Petition Updates

Share this petition

Petition created on 18 May 2026