That is simply one other attention-grabbing train from Elon, so I don’t wish to give it any air.
However to make clear, when Elon Musk says this:
Block goes to be deleted as a “function”, aside from DMs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023
That’s really not going to occur.
Why?
As a result of it will violate each the Apple and Google Play Retailer tips, which might then render X ineligible to be hosted on both, successfully killing the app.
Which tips?
This one for the Apple Store:
And this clause for Google Play:
You would possibly have the ability to argue that the wording of the Apple coverage is considerably imprecise, in that it doesn’t clearly stipulate whether or not particular person customers or the service should have the ability to block customers. However the inference is obvious, and it’s not up for interpretation in any respect within the Play Retailer itemizing.
In fact, Elon has seemingly been allowed to bend such guidelines up to now, on naming conventions for apps, and on content moderation, for instance. So he might, presumably, have the ability to manipulate them once more, although this actually looks as if a step too far, which neither Apple nor Google would have the ability to permit.
Why would Elon even wish to take away blocks?
As a result of it reduces advert impressions, by limiting content material publicity. There’s actually not a lot different logic, although Elon has additionally complained up to now that supporting block lists is problematic for X’s techniques.
The large block lists are problematic. They mess up the advice system & create a DDoS vector.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 12, 2023
Possibly that’s the motivation, possibly not. It’s not completely clear.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino has since gone into harm management, in an try to melt Elon’s assertion.
Our customers’ security on X is our primary precedence. And we’re constructing one thing higher than the present state of block and mute. Please hold the suggestions coming. https://t.co/ekIvyOhRqQ
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) August 19, 2023
However I don’t see any pathway to this really taking place, given the acknowledged App Retailer guidelines.
So that is extra of Elon firing off takes with out considering, which helps to get him extra consideration, and possibly X as properly.
However no, this isn’t going to occur in actuality.
And right here I’m enjoying alongside, and feeding into the Musk media machine.
