Twitter has launched its second test of features in a day, and this could be particularly useful if it has ever been subjected to online abuse. A recently available web test allows you to delete followers without blocking them. You will disappear from your feed without notifications that could ignite harassment and threats.

The social network has not said whether or when it could implement followers’ removals. However, this is next to a chain of projects against privacy harassment and privacy, including a “security mode” test and an experimental option to automatically archive tweets. It can only be a matter of time before the strictest control of followers is available for a wider audience.

This test can be particularly useful to combat abuse. Until now, Twitter users have typically had to report offensive accounts (and expect Twitter to take action) or block and risk reprisals. This will not prevent breeders from remaining their activity if it has a public account, but it could decrease the possibility of immediate indignation.