Blocking On X/Twitter No Longer Effective: How To Secure Your Posts

Blocking on X/Twitter No Longer Effective: How to Secure Your Posts

The platform formerly known as Twitter, now called X, has made significant changes to its blocking functionality, a shift that owner Elon Musk has been promising since August 2023. As of November 2, 2023, users are discovering that blocking someone on X no longer completely restricts their access to your posts.

Changes to the Blocking Functionality

Previously, blocking a user on X prevented them from contacting you, following you, or viewing your posts. However, under the new system, blocked users can still see your public posts, although they cannot interact with you by commenting, reposting, or sending direct messages. This change has raised concerns among users regarding privacy and safety, especially in the context of targeted harassment.

Critics argue that these changes could violate the policies of major app stores, including Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store, potentially impacting user safety on the platform.

How to Lock Down Your Posts

If you’re looking to prevent certain users from viewing your posts, there are two main methods, each with its own implications:

Option 1: Delete Your X Account

The most straightforward way to ensure that users cannot see your posts is to deactivate your account entirely. This option involves:

Deactivating Your Account: You can deactivate your account, after which it will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
Implications: This means that no one will be able to see your existing posts, and you will not be able to post on X anymore.

Keep in mind that removing your posts from the internet entirely is challenging. For example, if your tweets have been archived by the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, you will need to submit removal requests, which may be denied.

Option 2: Protect Your Posts

If deleting your account feels too extreme, you can choose to protect your posts. This option allows you to control who sees your content while still engaging with the platform. Here’s how protecting your posts works:

Visibility: Protecting your posts prevents not just blocked users but anyone who does not follow you from viewing your posts.
Approval Process: You will need to approve each follower request manually, which can help mitigate spam accounts.
Searchability: Your posts will not be indexed by search engines like Google, and they will only be searchable by you and your followers.

However, be aware that when your posts are protected, your replies to others will only be visible to your followers. While you can still respond to any open account, non-followers won’t see your replies.

How to Protect Your Posts on X

Protecting your posts is a quick process that varies slightly depending on whether you’re using a web browser or the mobile app.

From the Web:

Log into your X account.
Click on the More option.
Select Settings and privacy.
Click on Privacy and safety.
Click on Audience, media, and tagging.
Check the box next to Protect your posts.

From Your Phone (iOS and Android):

Tap your profile icon.
Tap Settings and Support.
Tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Privacy and safety.
Tap Audience and tagging.
Toggle Protect your posts on.

Conclusion

With the changes to X’s blocking functionality, users must take proactive steps to safeguard their content and privacy. Whether you choose to delete your account or protect your posts, understanding these options will help you better manage your presence on the platform.

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