X Faces Criticism for Changes Affecting Women’s Safety
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is under fire for its handling of a planned change to the blocking feature, with critics accusing the company of a “lack of care” towards the safety of women and girls online.
The proposed alteration will allow blocked accounts to view a user’s public posts without the ability to interact with them. While some users have started receiving notifications about the impending change, domestic violence charity Refuge has raised concerns about the potential impact on survivors of online abuse.
Refuge’s head of policy and public affairs, Jessica Eagelton, expressed worries over the implications of the new policy, stating that it could severely limit individuals’ ability to protect themselves from online harassment. She criticised X for failing to prioritise the safety of women and girls in its decision-making process.
Eagelton highlighted the increasing prevalence of technology-facilitated abuse and the challenges faced by survivors, who often endure stalking and harassment through social media platforms. She pointed out that Refuge has seen a significant rise in referrals related to online abuse, underscoring the urgent need for improved protection measures.
Despite the impending change, Elon Musk defended the decision, stating that it was long overdue. Currently, when a user blocks another account on X, the blocked user is unable to view any activity or interact with posts on the blocker’s profile.
Refuge’s Eagelton also criticised X’s guidance on the matter, which suggests that users switch their accounts to private to prevent blocked users from accessing their content. She emphasised the importance of tech companies taking responsibility for combatting online abuse instead of placing the burden on individual users.
Citing a 2021 report by the charity, Eagelton noted that a significant number of women in the UK have experienced online abuse, with a considerable portion targeted by current or former partners. Young women are particularly vulnerable, with a majority reporting instances of online abuse.
The debate surrounding X’s handling of the blocking feature underscores the broader issue of online safety, especially concerning women and girls. As calls for enhanced protections continue to grow, tech companies face mounting pressure to address the pervasive issue of online abuse and harassment.