Recently, X (formerly known as Twitter) announced that they would be changing the block feature. In this update, X Engineering describes the new feature of the block would be as follows; 

“If your posts are set to public, accounts you have blocked will be able to view them, but they will not be able to engage (like, reply, repost, etc.).” 

Not only is this incredibly stupid, a blatant disregard of the public’s privacy, it’s also INCREDIBLY dangerous and ignorant. 

My story is a prime example. I was in an abusive, controlling relationship. Once I got out, my ex became obsessed with trying to see my life via social media as I had cut them out. They even went as far as to friend me under a fictitious profile to begin to stalk me to places I posted about on my social media with intent to physically harm me. As a result, I moved away from social media and was too afraid to post.

 Twitter (X) for the last year of my life has been a source of community for me, I have made so many incredible friends, a benefit of having a PUBLIC profile. But with this new “block function update” my security is deeply compromised. I, like so many, don’t want to go private. I want to be able to block my abuser and my stalker. 

X needs to stop this and do better to protect the privacy and safety of their patrons. By signing this petition, we are telling X “make the block button more secure and DO NOT INITIATE this horrendous plan that will compromise or SILENCE people on the platform. 

Please sign and please share!