In the face of online hate, Twitter launches “safe mode”

With high expectations when it comes to managing hate online, social networks have taken the first steps to respond to user demands.

The Twitter social network is “Security modeOn Wednesday September 1, an American company came under increasing pressure to protect users from hate online in order to “reduce destructive interactions” and “healthier” conversations, it was announced.

Concretely, this “security mode” (“Safe mode“English” is a feature that temporarily blocks accounts that use “potentially dangerous words” such as “insults, nasty remarks, repeated one-sided references” for 7 days.

“Our technology automatically blocks authors of tweets that we consider harmful or unsolicited, that is, to temporarily track your account, post tweets or send direct messages. You won’t be able to do it, ”he said. Twitter detailed in the press release.

Twitter said it consulted with experts in online safety, mental health and human rights when creating the tool and made changes accordingly.

Tested by a female journalist

This new feature has been pre-tested by a small number of users and favors female journalists and members of other groups who are often targets of abuse.

Like other social media giants, Twitter allows you to flag posts that you don’t like, such as racist, gay, and sexist posts. However, many users have long complained that loopholes in Twitter’s policies can often leave violent and discriminatory comments online.

The platform has been sued in France by six non-discrimination groups accusing the company of “permanent” failures to block unpleasant comments. French justice ordered Twitter in July last year to provide a document detailing how to tackle hate online within two months.

Twitter’s announcement will come weeks after competitor Instagram announced a new tool to combat abusive and racist content.