diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
index bd8928962..5e42b3785 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_helpers.py
@@ -248,3 +248,63 @@ class ViewsHelpers(TestCase):
             views.helpers.handle_reading_status(
                 self.local_user, self.shelf, self.book, 'public')
         self.assertFalse(models.GeneratedNote.objects.exists())
+
+    def test_object_visible_to_user(self):
+        ''' does a user have permission to view an object '''
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='public')
+        self.assertTrue(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Shelf.objects.create(
+            name='test', user=self.remote_user, privacy='unlisted')
+        self.assertTrue(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='followers')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='direct')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='direct')
+        obj.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+    def test_object_visible_to_user_follower(self):
+        ''' what you can see if you follow a user '''
+        self.remote_user.followers.add(self.local_user)
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='followers')
+        self.assertTrue(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='direct')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='direct')
+        obj.mention_users.add(self.local_user)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+    def test_object_visible_to_user_blocked(self):
+        ''' you can't see it if they block you '''
+        self.remote_user.blocks.add(self.local_user)
+        obj = models.Status.objects.create(
+            content='hi', user=self.remote_user, privacy='public')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
+
+        obj = models.Shelf.objects.create(
+            name='test', user=self.remote_user, privacy='unlisted')
+        self.assertFalse(
+            views.helpers.object_visible_to_user(self.local_user, obj))
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py b/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
index 601593246..f899680f0 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/helpers.py
@@ -38,11 +38,21 @@ def object_visible_to_user(viewer, obj):
     ''' is a user authorized to view an object? '''
     if not obj:
         return False
+
+    # viewer can't see it if the object's owner blocked them
+    if viewer in obj.user.blocks.all():
+        return False
+
+    # you can see your own posts and any public or unlisted posts
     if viewer == obj.user or obj.privacy in ['public', 'unlisted']:
         return True
+
+    # you can see the followers only posts of people you follow
     if obj.privacy == 'followers' and \
             obj.user.followers.filter(id=viewer.id).first():
         return True
+
+    # you can see dms you are tagged in
     if isinstance(obj, models.Status):
         if obj.privacy == 'direct' and \
                 obj.mention_users.filter(id=viewer.id).first():