Twitter seem to be having trouble finding the fine line of user security and free speech. In less than 24 hours, the social network has backtracked it’s decision to make the block function simply ‘mute’ tweets from blocked users.
This was brought about due to the surge in feedback from Twitter users after the implementation was made. Twitter’s Vice President, Michael Sippey stated:
In reverting this change to the block function, users will once again be able to tell that they’ve been blocked. We believe this is not ideal, largely due to the retaliation against blocking users by blocked users (and sometimes their friends) that often occurs. Some users worry just as much about post-blocking retaliation as they do about pre-blocking abuse. Moving forward, we will continue to explore features designed to protect users from abuse and prevent retaliation.
It’s certainly a difficult line to cross, but Twitter is not going to give up finding a way to minimise trolling and abuse online.
We’ve built Twitter to help you create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers. That vision must coexist with keeping users safe on the platform. We’ve been working diligently to strike this balance since Twitter’s inception, and we thank you for all of your support and feedback to date. Thank you in advance for your patience as we continue to build the best – and safest – Twitter we possibly can.
I’m interested to see how Twttier manages this. While Twitter is keep to make changes to improve the social network service, the Twitter community seems to be set in its ways now. Even introducing blue (and then red) lines into a conversation seems to bring about a mass outcry.
Read Michael Sippey’s official statement.
