X is working on a separate block button for the DMs!

You'll be able to block someone from messaging you without blocking them from your account!

App researcher Nima Owji has discovered a new option in the app's back-end code, which appears to allow X users to activate distinct functionalities for DMs compared to other app features.

So you’d be able to block messages from someone, but still see their posts in-stream.

Elon Musk responded, explaining that X is “decoupling” DMs from public posting. This change allows users to use the platform exclusively for messaging without the need to post publicly

While you can already use X primarily for messaging, this update aims to offer a more distinct separation. It will allow you to use X as a dedicated DM platform without needing to log in and sift through the latest posts.

It’s an interesting development, though the main issue I see with many of these features and experiments is that they don’t offer a compelling reason for users to adopt them beyond supporting Elon’s vision of a “free speech” platform.

Key Takeaways:

If executed successfully, decoupling X’s DM functionality could offer several advantages:

• A standalone DM app could offer a more streamlined and intuitive experience for users who primarily rely on private messaging.
• Opening the DM API to third-party developers could spark a surge of innovative DM clients and features.
• Decoupling would provide X with greater flexibility for development and maintenance, allowing the company to experiment with new features and technologies without impacting the core platform.
• X could potentially monetize its DM functionality through partnerships, advertising, or premium features.