Thread by @Hazel_ok

In today’s “how are people this dumb” thread I’d like to address the vague legal threats that have been popping up in my mentions regarding “being on a list” and “GDPR”. #repealshield @repeal_shield ➡️

Yes love, you are on a list. It’s called a block list. It’s one of twitters core functionalities. Wow, look here I can even see and manage my own block list from within the app! 🤓 Now, you’re hardly complaining about someone using a choice to block ya are ya? ➡️

“I don’t care who you block you can’t share your block list like that” Au contraire my ignorant friend, that is also a functionality of Twitter- the ability to export and import block lists. help.twitter.com/en/using-twitt… ➡️

“But but you’re not using Twitter functionality you’re using an app”. Actually blocking is also available in the twitter API. The @blocktogether app is even a bit cleverer- it checks your followings first and never blocks someone you follow. developer.twitter.com/en/docs/accoun… ➡️

So we’ve established that blocking, blocking programmatically and sharing block lists are all part of Twitters functionality. ➡️

“But... but... I can’t opt out/ I didn’t give permissions”. Firstly, no one needs permission to block you (lol unless you’re a certain president). Secondly, block lists aren’t even the only twitter lists you can’t opt out of. Let’s see what lists I’m in: ➡️

Hmm what other arguments have this bunch of bananas been shouting? Oh “you’re storing my private information”. Nope, @Twitter is storing your data, and you gave twitter permission to. Let’s look at the privacy policy: twitter.com/en/privacy

“But... but... GDPR!” Firstly, I’ve yet to be convinced any of the crusty crabs complaining about GDPR know what it even is. As a non commercial entity, GDPR doesn’t apply. Even if it did, which it doesn’t, see entire thread so far, everything is within the rules. ➡️

“This is a list of political opinions and that’s not allowed”. Again nope. The block list is a list consisting of people that in my opinion spread misinformation, are time wasters, send graphic pictures, or send abuse. I’m entitled to that view, or would you censor me? ➡️

I mean, the fact that many of em share one or two of the same views is largely irrelevant - it’s not a list of antichoicers, it’s a list of silly sausages that in my opinion are better ignored. ➡️

Also, I’ve seen screenshots of “threats” from someone that’s been blocked who also has me blocked- you are literally complaining about something that you’ve also done- exercised your freedom to block someone. *facepalm* ➡️

“But you’re creating an echo chamber” So what? If people want to filter their social media accounts to exclude people that are acting the eejit, fair play to em. My twitter is a much better place now, and I’ve had 100s of msgs of support from subscribers saying similar. ➡️

“But the referendum is over”. Weirdly the abuse seems to have ramped up since, a contagious case of loseritis I think. Regardless, the block list is now set to private- no new subscribers can be added. A few blocks are being made here on there on request. ➡️

We are figuring out next steps, and while I will be stepping away from the project now that we’ve achieved our objective, I will still be around for tech support on unsubscribing etc. ➡️

I think that covers all the complaints and threats that the hive mind have been throwing at me. 🙄 At the end of the day it boils down to “be better and maybe then people won’t want to block you”. ➡️

Also, I personally take the consistent negative chatter about repeal shield to be a massive compliment on how well the tool has functioned. It kneecapped the abuse and misinformation strategy many wanted to employ. I revel in your anger, that’s just my opinion. 😉

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