Twitter gets new feature that can automatically block trolls

Date:
Thu, 02 Sep 2021 10:16:25 +0000

Description:
Safety mode is rolling out to a group of users for now, which can automatically block accounts using offensive language.

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Twitter has been looking into how it can stifle trolls and abusive accounts more effectively, which is where a new Safety Mode comes in, rolling out to a small group of testers on iOS, Android and its website.

Having an account on any social media site has its risks of abuse from accounts that have the sole objective of trolling.

As Twitter finds ways into how it can sustain itself through Super Follows
and Ticked Spaces , it also needs to make sure that users feel safe on the platform. While its taken longer than some users have hoped, auto-blocking troll accounts could be a good first step. Twitter rolls out refreshed design - but is it needed? What is the best iPhone for you in 2021? Spaces on
Twitter is promising, but theres work to be done How does Safety mode benefit you?

You can go to Settings > Privacy and Safety, where a new Safety Mode option will be available if youve been selected to test the feature out.

Switching this on will enable an algorithm to spot any accounts that are sending abuse to genuine users. If it does spot anything, it will automatically block these users on your account, as long as you dont follow them and havent interacted with them. Introducing Safety Mode. A new way to limit unwelcome interactions on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/xa5Ot2TVhF September 1, 2021 See more

Throughout the product development process, we conducted several listening
and feedback sessions for trusted partners with expertise in online safety, mental health, and human rights, including members of our Trust and Safety Council. Jarrod Doherty, Senior Product Designer at Twitter explained in a blogpost .

Their feedback influenced adjustments to make Safety Mode easier to use and helped us think through ways to address the potential manipulation of our technology. These trusted partners also played an important role in
nominating Twitter account owners to join the feedback group, prioritizing people from marginalized communities and female journalists.

While its available for a small group of testers for now, the company expects to roll this feature out soon to all users across its apps and website. Analysis: Progress, but theres more to be done

Leaving an algorithm to decide which accounts should and should not be
blocked could be risky business for a user, especially if someone is
receiving torrents of abuse from multiple accounts.

Users can already manually mute words and accounts to make their timelines more pleasant, however Twitter has been slow to respond to abusive tweets
that many users have been experiencing across the years.

While Safety Mode is a step in the right direction, it may need to be in testing for a longer period of time compared to Twitters other new features
to make sure that the right accounts are being blocked, and at a rapid pace. Here's why Fleets didn't work for Twitter



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/twitter-gets-new-feature-that-can-automatically -block-trolls/


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