Yesterday, Twitter introduced a controversial update to its blocking feature, effectively transforming it into more of a “mute” function. Under the new system, blocked users could still view the profiles of those who blocked them and even reply to their tweets—though these replies would be invisible to the blocker but visible to everyone else. The change was intended to hide activity rather than outright prevent it.
Unsurprisingly, the update sparked a massive backlash from users, many of whom voiced their frustration under the trending hashtag #RestoreTheBlock. Given Twitter’s ongoing battle with abusive trolls, it’s no wonder users reacted so strongly to what seemed like a watering down of a vital safety feature. In an unexpected turn, Twitter listened to the outcry and reversed the change within a day.
While social media platforms have a history of rolling out unpopular updates, the recent public listings of Twitter and Facebook seem to have made these companies more sensitive to user feedback. Twitter isn’t done addressing the challenges surrounding blocking and harassment, but for now, the feature will remain unchanged. How it might evolve is uncertain, but one thing is clear: when user dissatisfaction threatens to impact stock performance, the decision-makers pay attention.