That is simply one other attention-grabbing train from Elon, so I don’t need to give it any air.
However to make clear, when Elon Musk says this:
Block goes to be deleted as a “characteristic”, apart from DMs
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 18, 2023
That’s really not going to occur.
Why?
As a result of it could violate each the Apple and Google Play Retailer pointers, which might then render X ineligible to be hosted on both, successfully killing the app.
Which pointers?
This one for the Apple Store:
And this clause for Google Play:
You would possibly be capable to argue that the wording of the Apple coverage is considerably obscure, in that it doesn’t clearly stipulate whether or not particular person customers or the service should be capable to block customers. However the inference is evident, 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 previously, on naming conventions for apps, and on content moderation, for instance. So he could, probably, be capable to manipulate them once more, although this actually looks like a step too far, which neither Apple nor Google would be capable to permit.
Why would Elon even need 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 previously 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, perhaps not. It’s not solely 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 maintain 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 perhaps X as effectively.
However no, this isn’t going to occur in actuality.
And right here I’m taking part in alongside, and feeding into the Musk media machine.
