Social media micro blogging site, Twitter has added a new update to its platform called the ‘soft block’ feature, a response to its teeming user’s infamous request.
With the new feature in the testing phase early September, Twitter has now been able to satisfy its global users with the addition of the ‘Remove this follower’ right next to the user’s followers names.
For users to access the option, they have to head to their profile at the top of their page, then click on ‘followers’, after that click on the 3 dots menu exactly next to the username of the follower.
We're making it easier to be the curator of your own followers list. Now testing on web: remove a follower without blocking them.
To remove a follower, go to your profile and click “Followers”, then click the three dot icon and select “Remove this follower”. pic.twitter.com/2Ig7Mp8Tnx
The distinction between this new feature and the total blocking of the user’s follower is that the user on the soft block can still view tweets of the person who soft blocked them, they can even message them but the tweets of the person who soft blocked you won’t pop up in your newsfeed again. When a follower is removed, there is the option of adding them again.
Popular science and Tech journal, The Verge in its assessment of the new Twitter feature says it will come in handy as “the feature might be useful if you don’t want to do a full-on block but want to create some space from another user. This new method from Twitter is a little easier than the previous one, which required you to block and unblock someone manually.”
Engadget while noting that the new feature might decrease harassment on the platform said:
“Blocking someone you don’t want to follow you could lead to retaliation from that person via their allies or their secondary accounts after they find out. Cutting them in this fashion and muting them will mean they’re none the wiser that they’re out of the loop.”
Users having the leverage of removing unwanted followers are the micro blogging platform way of allowing users have more control on the platform. It also allows for the reduction of harassment incidents.
Twitter had earlier in September started working on a feature called the ‘Safety Mode’, which temporarily autoblocks hateful accounts but the exact timeline of making the new feature official is not clear yet.
It is believed that this new update will help users have control on their profiles and determine what to do with other users they do not find their connections gratifying.
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Ayoola Faseyi, an Abuja based Journalist with interest in Technology and Politics. He is a versatile writer with articles in many renowned News Journals.
He is the Co-Founder of media brand, The Vent Republic.
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