That was quick. Within 24 hours of the launch of the Twitter nonfungible token, or NFT, profile pictures for iOS update, a github contributor called mcclure has coded up and shared a browser extension that automatically blocks Twitter accounts using an NFT profile picture.
The program called NFTBlocker blocks paying subscribers of the Twitter Blue for iOS service who choose to display an NFT as their profile picture.
The extension works with Chrome and Firefox on desktop and while an early prototype, “future versions of this plugin will scan your notifications and do the blocking automatically.”
But why would someone code up such an extension? According to mcclure’s README, it’s because NFTs are an “investment scam.”
They don’t mince their words:
“In short, NFT users are just irritating to be around. People who bought NFTs have to keep hyping other people to buy NFTs or the NFTs they bought will lose value. Twitter NFT cliques are rife with sockpuppet accounts, dogpiling and indifferentiable monkey clones. Blocking NFT users just makes Twitter nicer.”
The web developer also recommends using the app Better TweetDek to block NFT profile picture users.
However, mcclure appears somewhat misinformed about the driving force behind Twitter’s pivot to using NFTs. In the README section, Mcclure claims that Jack Dorsey “is invested in cryptocurrency and if Twitter makes NFTs more popular, Jack Dorsey will make money.”
While Jack Dorsey is hugely invested in cryptocurrency, he has demonstrated little interest in NFTs since standing down as CEO of Twitter last year.
He has dedicated his career to furthering Bitcoin adoption, mining, and development under his new role of CEO of Block. He recently announced the Bitcoin Legal Defense Fund as well as Cash App integration for lightning payments.
