Enhance User Privacy and Experience by Extending Block Functionality

[aziznatour]

Many users interact with bots on Discord, which act on behalf of users to execute commands and post messages. When a user is blocked, their direct messages are hidden; however, their interactions through bots are still visible. This can lead to scenarios where blocked users can indirectly affect others, contrary to the purpose of the block feature.

Technical Proposal:

• Invokee ID in API Calls: Implement an “invokee ID” parameter in the API calls that bots use to send messages or trigger interactions. This ID would represent the user who initiated the command.
• Client-Side Filtering: Modify the Discord client to check the invokee ID against the user’s block list. If the invokee is blocked, the client would automatically hide these messages or interactions.

This approach also respects the functional integrity of bots and webhooks by maintaining their operations while providing an additional layer of privacy. It would be particularly useful in community servers where interactions are frequent and diverse.

Additional Considerations:

• Webhook Messages: Similar mechanisms could be applied to webhook messages. Although not directly triggered by user interactions, tagging webhook messages with a user ID when applicable could further enhance privacy controls.

The implementation of these features would align well with Discord’s commitment to user safety and community integrity. It would also empower users to have more control over their interaction space, thereby fostering a safer and more comfortable environment.

P.S. This suggestion is made in the context of a translation bot which mirrors translations between channels, often through webhooks to make translations appear as natural as possible to user profile.