Dear Friend –

Elon Musk’s latest decision to eliminate the block feature on X (formerly Twitter) raises serious concerns about online safety. X has begun rolling out changes to the block button, which has been a critical tool for preventing online harassment. [1]

The new policy allows previously blocked accounts to still see users’ public profiles and posts, though they can no longer interact with the content. But the block button is still a vital first defense for many, especially those at higher risk of online harassment, such as women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. Blocking, while not perfect, is an essential part of a broader toolkit for staying safe online. [2]

Here’s where Apple, Google, and the app stores come in: 99% of mobile devices in the U.S. run on Google’s or Apple’s operating systems. [3] Through their app stores, they set the rules for what features apps must provide to stay available for download. Both companies have policies that require social media apps to offer blocking features to protect users from harassment. [4] [5] When Musk moves forward with these changes, Google and Apple must stop hosting X in their app stores.

We believe everyone deserves a safe space online, where they can control who interacts with their content. Without a proper block function, online spaces become even more dangerous. Add your name to the petition: Demand that Google and Apple remove “X” from their stores when Musk eliminates the standard block feature.

ADD YOUR NAME

The stakes are high. As stalking, harassment, and the rise of deepfakes make the internet increasingly hostile, blocking is a non-negotiable safeguard. Musk’s decision to gut this tool only adds to a long list of reckless changes since his takeover. From reinstating dangerous extremists to drastically cutting staff, Musk continues to erode the safety of users.

Our demand is simple: Without a standard block feature, apps that undermine safety do not belong on our devices. Apple and Google must act now—when X removes essential protections, it shouldn’t be available for download on their platforms.

It’s time to pressure Apple and Google to take action to hold Musk accountable and keep users safe.

Thank you for speaking out,

Nicole Gill
Co-founder and Executive Director
Accountable Tech

P.S. Have you ever used the block feature on a social media platform? Let us know why we should preserve and protect this feature!

Sources:

1. Mashable: Musk is gutting X’s blocking feature — why this change is dangerous
2. MSNBC: Why Elon Musk’s latest change to X is the last straw for many users
3. App My Site: Android vs iOS: Mobile Operating System market share statistics (Updated 2024)
4. Google: User Generated Content
5. Apple: App Review Guidelines

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