Block Party Shifts Focus to Privacy Following Loss of Twitter API Access
Tracy Chou, a software engineer and tech diversity advocate, was faced with a setback earlier this year when her startup, Block Party, lost access to Twitter’s API due to changes made by the platform. However, Chou has not let this deter her, and at the recent SXSW conference in Austin, she unveiled Block Party’s new product, Privacy Party.
Originally, Block Party used Twitter’s API to automate the process of blocking bad actors, trolls, and harassers. The startup had raised $4.8 million in seed funding in 2022 with the goal of expanding its automated blocking to other platforms. Unfortunately, Twitter’s API crackdown meant that Block Party’s ability to operate was immediately impacted. The original product, now called Block Party Classic, has been put on hiatus.
During her presentation at SXSW, Chou discussed the demise of Block Party Classic and the impact it had on Twitter users. The tool had allowed users to filter out spam and harassment from their mentions, making Twitter a more pleasant experience without resorting to full content moderation. However, Chou explained that the loss of access to Twitter’s API was due to changes in ownership, which highlighted the need for regulation requiring open APIs.
With the uncertain future of API regulation, Block Party has shifted its focus to the development of Privacy Party. Chou revealed that the idea for the new product came from discussions with newsroom security teams who wanted better tools to help journalists stay safe online. Journalists often face not only harassment but also threats like doxing and stalking. Personal social media accounts can create vulnerabilities, so the security recommendation is to lock things down.
Privacy Party aims to simplify the process of adjusting privacy settings across various social media platforms. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, and others often make their user interfaces complex and change the location of settings frequently, making it tedious and time-consuming for users to navigate their privacy options. Privacy Party acts as middleware, allowing users to interact with platforms and services to adjust their privacy settings with fewer clicks.
During a demo at SXSW, Block Party’s Head of Product Design, Deonne Castaneda, showcased how Privacy Party could streamline the process of making a single photo album private on Facebook. Previously, it took at least six clicks to find the setting, but Privacy Party reduces the effort and time required.
Privacy Party works by offering users tailored recommendations for different social media platforms. The browser extension, currently in beta, scans users’ current settings and provides suggestions based on their preferences. Users can review their settings and make changes to enhance their privacy and security. The extension also focuses on areas that could enable bad actors or stalkers, such as contact permissions, visibility of activity, app access to data, personal information visibility, and availability of older content.
The beta version of Privacy Party is compatible with Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, Strava, X, and Venmo. The scan duration varies depending on the number of settings that need to be adjusted, ranging from one to eight minutes. The browser extension is currently free to use during the beta phase.
Castaneda emphasized that Privacy Party provides transparency about data usage and presents users with control options. It automates the process of finding and fixing privacy settings, acting as a guiding privacy expert.
While Chou did not specify when Privacy Party would exit beta, the browser extension is currently available for free. Block Party’s focus on privacy and its innovative solution to simplifying privacy settings management demonstrates its commitment to helping users protect their online presence.