Facebook apologizes after a bug temporarily blocked blocked users from certain accounts

800,000 users discovered that their security and, potentially, their security were compromised

Facebook had to warn 800,000 of its users that a bug may have temporarily unlocked blocked users from their accounts. Indeed, for the people involved and blocking people, it meant that these stranded people might have a new form of access to their accounts, albeit temporarily.

For some people who noticed that their blocking list was shorter in their action or knowledge, it would have been a troubling notion that these stranded people now have access to their lives again. As pointed out Yahoo the blocking function can sometimes be used by people on Facebook against other people who abuse them or have harbaded them in the past. Thus, this security breach could be considered a big problem for Facebook.

Facebook has since apologized for the malfunction and badures users that the unblocking bug was only temporary and has since been resolved.

The ability to block someone is important – and we would like to apologize and explain what happened, "said Erin Egan, Chief Privacy Officer of Facebook in a statement posted on July 2nd on Facebook.

"As of today 800,000 users of a bug on Facebook and Messenger that have unlocked some people blocked. The bug was active between May 29 and June 5 – and while someone who was unlocked could not see shared content with friends, they could have seen things posted to a wider audience. For example, pictures shared with friends of friends. "

Blocked users could also contact, via Messenger, those who blocked them.

According to Yahoo of the 800,000 affected, 83% (or about 664,000 people) had "one person that they had blocked unlocked by the bug." The remaining 17% (Considering that the violation occurred at the end of May until the very beginning of June, it is not clear exactly how many of these unblocked people took advantage of the situation as Facebook did, up to the end of May. has now refused to comment on this aspect of the situation, however, the potential is there that the window of opportunity could potentially have been opened until the statement was published on 2 July. saying that the problem was now rectified.

So what if you are one of 800,000 users?

Facebook notified affected users that they should not do anything since the problem has now been fixed. However, Facebook also asks you to check your blocked list to make sure that it always includes everyone on your list.

"This problem has now been solved and everyone has been blocked again and affected people will receive a notification on Facebook encouraging them to check their blocked list."