Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Culture

Twitter Reverses Update on Blocking Policy

Had allowed blocked users to see tweets of block that blocked them

Reason Staff | 12.13.2013 12:10 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Twitter last night reversed course on a change to its blocking policy - less than 24 hours after that new policy was put in place.

Early on Thursday, Twitter updated its blocking policy so that members who had been blocked could see the tweets of the blocker, as well as favorite and re-tweet their messages. The blocker would not see any interactions (replies, re-tweets) from the person they blocked but the blocked member would have no idea they were blocked.

Twitter said this was done to prevent retaliation from those who were blocked, but the backlash was swift, with many members arguing that it would allow trolls and cyber stalkers to have easy access to their Twitter content. Members have the option of making their accounts private, of course, but many did not want to be forced underground by harassers.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Inspector General Investigation Reveals Google Execs Traveled in Private Jets With Cheap Government Fuel

Reason Staff
CultureScience & TechnologyTwitterSocial MediaFree SpeechTechnology
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (0)

Latest

Brickbat: In-N-Out but Not Thru

Charles Oliver | 7.21.2026 4:00 AM

Research Suggests Trump and His Opponents Are Both Wrong About the Impact of Voter ID Requirements

Jacob Sullum | 7.20.2026 5:25 PM

South Carolina Law Prohibits Tattoo Parlors Near Churches. A New Lawsuit Calls That Unconstitutional.

Meagan O'Rourke | 7.20.2026 4:59 PM

Britain's New Prime Minister Andy Burnham Promises 'Stronger Public Control' of Stagnating Economy

Reem Ibrahim | 7.20.2026 2:16 PM

A Man Died of COVID at This California Detention Center. A Judge Just Ordered Sweeping Improvements There.

C.J. Ciaramella | 7.20.2026 1:35 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason's July 4 Special!

For America's 250th, Get 2 Years of Reason for $17.76

Celebrate your independence with a subscription to Reason magazine, your most trusted source of honest, insightful news and analysis.

Subscribe to Reason