Why changes to the block on Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

Elon Musk’s platform X is preparing to overhaul its block function, breaking away from traditional social media practices. Under the new policy, blocked users will still be able to view the posts of the person who blocked them, as long as the posts are public. However, they will be restricted from liking, reposting, or replying to these posts.

Musk has previously voiced his opinion on the issue, stating, “Blocking public posts makes no sense. It needs to be replaced by a stronger mute function.” Jack Dorsey, former Twitter co-founder and CEO, also supports this approach.

Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

While Musk and Dorsey argue that blocking public posts is redundant—since anyone can access them by simply logging out—others, like Tracy Chou, founder of the anti-harassment tool Block Party, believe the block function provides an essential layer of protection. Chou stated on X, “The friction matters! Making it easier for people to engage in harmful behavior isn’t a good thing.”

In response to the proposed changes, many X users are exploring alternatives, leading to a significant rise in activity on platforms like Bluesky. Over a two-day span, Bluesky saw 1.2 million new users and climbed to the second spot in the U.S. App Store’s Social Networking category, a dramatic jump from its previous ranking of 181.

Though user spikes don’t always translate into sustained engagement, this policy shift could have more lasting effects compared to X’s previous changes, such as its rebranding from Twitter. The adjustment focuses on the rights of blocked users, potentially putting those who rely on blocking for protection at greater risk.

X’s engineering team defended the update, stating, “Currently, block can be used to hide harmful or private information. With this change, users will gain more transparency and visibility into these behaviors.”

As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these changes may lead to a shift in user behavior, with more people seeking alternatives, potentially reshaping the social media landscape.

George Mensah

George Mensah Editor in chief for techfullpost . He is an internet entrepreneur. he launched news website in 2019. Techfullpost is Stay connected to know the latest news, tech news, entertainment, and self-improvement around the world with top stories.Experience He loves writing and interest in gaming, gadget, tech news, apps and mobile. He has been writing since 2018 and been doing research on technology since 2013. He spend most of his life writing tech news.

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Social Tech

TikTok announces the US premiere of its awards program

by George Mensah 2025-11-06

TikTok is taking its cultural influence to the next level: The short-form video platform announced Monday that it will host its first-ever TikTok Awards show in the United States, marking a major step in its evolution from a social media app into a full-fledged entertainment powerhouse.

The show – featuring categories like “Creator of the Year,” “Video of the Year,” “Muse of the Year,” and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” – will be held on December 18 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Fans everywhere will be able to watch the extravaganza live via the TikTok app and on Tubi, with on-demand viewing available on Tubi the following day.

Unlike Instagram’s recently launched “Ring” awards, TikTok’s event embraces a classic Hollywood-style ceremony, replete with a red carpet, live performances, and an in-person audience filled with hundreds of top creators.

Voting will take place via the ‘Favorite of 2025’ voting portal within the app, starting November 18, making this a truly community-driven celebration, highlighting creators who have shaped culture on TikTok in 2025.

Celebrating Creativity Across Cultures

Although this marks TikTok’s first awards show in the U.S., the company has already hosted successful versions in Germany, Mexico, Korea, and other countries — each designed to recognize local talent and viral content. Hosting a major event in Los Angeles underlines the growing role of TikTok in the global entertainment ecosystem, becoming the bridge between traditional media and digital creativity.

Meet the Nominees

Standout nominees for “Creator of the Year” include viral sensations adamw, alixearle, brookemonk_, keith_lee125, and kristy.sarah, who have each gained millions of followers through their respective uses of relatable humor, lifestyle content, and creative storytelling.

Then there’s the “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” category, which includes alexwarren, katseyeworld, laufey, ravynlenae, and sombr-all rising musical talents whose sounds have defined TikTok’s ever-changing musical landscape.

The other notable categories are “Storyteller of the Year,” “TikTok for Good Award,” “MVP of the Year,” “Okay Slay Award,” and “TikTok LIVE Creator of the Year.” The full list of nominees can be found on the official announcement post of TikTok.

Beyond an App: A Cultural Powerhouse

TikTok’s foray into the awards circuit signals its ambition to establish itself as a cultural tastemaker, not just a social platform. According to the company, the event will put a spotlight on creators across fashion, beauty, sports, film, and entertainment, highlighting the diversity and innovation that define the TikTok community.

“The trophies up on stage will beam a colorful glow upon the creators defining this new era of culture,” TikTok said in its announcement, adding that the awards will celebrate creativity in all its forms, from viral trends to artistic innovation. With its first U.S. awards show, TikTok is sending a clear message: it’s no longer just about short videos; it’s a central stage for the next generation of entertainment, artistry, and cultural influence.

Social Tech

Instagram Stories now offers users direct access to Meta AI editing tools

by George Mensah 2025-10-29

Meta is pushing deeper into AI territory with new AI-editing tools in Instagram Stories, where users can edit images and videos simply by typing in what they want to modify. From hair color to special effects, the feature upends the possibilities of creators and regular users alike to personalize their content. Instagram Stories Meta AI editing tools

Text Prompts Meet Visual Creativity

Until now, Instagram’s AI editing tools were primarily accessible through Meta AI’s chatbot, which required users to interact via direct messages. With this latest integration, however, AI editing becomes native to Stories, allowing anyone to make instant visual edits using plain language commands.

These new edit features come under the “Restyle” menu that can be accessed using the paintbrush icon in Instagram Stories. One can type commands such as “give me a sunset background,” “remove the person in the corner,” or “color my hair pink.” The AI carries out the edit one wants within seconds.

Meta suggests that users only have three primary actions to select from — Add, Remove, or Change — while specifying what they’d like to alter. The AI will automatically add objects, alter appearances, or completely restyle the photo based on what they’ve described.

Preset Effects and Dynamic Video Edits

In addition to custom prompts, Instagram also has pre-select AI effects that can beautify or stylize posts. Filters like sunglasses, a denim jacket, or even a watercolor art effect can be applied.

On video content, the feature does even better — creators are able to superimpose atmospheric effects like falling snow, glowing embers, or cinematic lighting, which makes Stories appear more polished and professional without the necessity of using editing apps.

Privacy and AI Usage Terms

While the new features enable creativity, they come with privacy implications. Being used to introduce users to Meta’s Terms of Service for AI, which allow the company to “analyze photos and videos, including facial data, to make AI better.” According to Meta, it allows its systems to “summarize image contents, edit images, and generate new content based on the image.”

Critics have also had concerns regarding the ways in which such data might be used to train Meta’s broader AI models, though the company has sworn to remain committed to responsible innovation and transparency.

Meta’s Expanding AI Push

The release of AI editing software is just part of Meta’s overall strategy to roll out artificial intelligence on every platform it has, from Facebook and Instagram to WhatsApp. Recently, Meta began beta-testing a “Write with Meta AI” feature, which helps users compose intelligent or engaging comments under Instagram posts.

Meanwhile, Meta’s separate Meta AI app — with its chatbot and new “Vibes” AI-generated video stream — has been picking up steam. According to Similarweb estimates, iOS and Android daily active users rose from 775,000 to 2.7 million over a four-week span as of October 17.

Protecting Younger Users

As a response to increasing complaints from regulators and parents, Meta has also added new parental tools for its AI features. Parents may now shut off chats with AI characters and filter topics that their teens have with the chatbot to provide a safer online environment.

With these new instruments, Instagram is not only emerging as a social network but a creative platform fueled by generative AI. With Meta, OpenAI, and Google competing for leadership, this launch shows how AI is becoming more a part of the social fabric of our era — blurring the line between creativity, technology, and self-expression.

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