Twitter introduces anti-harassment ‘Safety Mode’ feature

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Safety Mode aimed at easing negative interactions between Twitter users

Twitter is cracking down on cyber bullying, again. The social media platform once notorious for virtual squabbling has introduced a new feature meant to ease negative interactions, called “Safety Mode.”

The feature, which the company said in a statement is meant to “reduce disruptive interactions,” was rolled out to a small feedback group of English-language users on iOS, Android, and Twitter.com on Sept. 1.

“We want you to enjoy healthy conversations, so this test is one way we’re limiting overwhelming and unwelcome interactions that can interrupt those conversations,” the company said. “Our goal is to better protect the individual on the receiving end of Tweets by reducing the prevalence and visibility of harmful remarks.”

Twitter users who have Safety Mode enabled won’t have to deal with trolls, because they simply won’t be able to. The feature uses AI technology to weed out anyone who sends tweets containing potentially harmful language, or unwanted and repetitive direct messages or replies.

Twitter says the feature will be able to analyze the content of an interaction and assess whether it is unwanted or negative, and if so, can temporarily block accounts from viewing, following, or interacting with those in Safety Mode they are deemed to be harassing.

Users in Safety Mode can see who Twitter has autoblocked from viewing or interacting with their account and will receive a recap after each Safety Mode period ends, in order to assess how they want to move forward.

The algorithm will be able to consider things such as existing relationships, so someone a user frequently interacts with won’t be autoblocked on account of one potentially negative interaction, Twitter says.

The company, which has faced criticism for years that it is a breeding ground for abusive rhetoric, introduced a bevy of anti-harassment features back in 2017, including a “safe search” function, and gave Twitter users the ability to block what they deemed to be potentially abusive or “low-quality” tweets.

Recommended for you

Why is AI consulting becoming important?

Organizations do not want to stay behind. They want to improve all business processes. AI consulting is an option that helps them achieve this goal.

How Do Cybercriminals Hack Retirement Plans?

Cybercriminals use a suite of strategies to take over people’s accounts. Here are some of the most widely used techniques.

How the Singapore Government Uses Mobile Apps to Make the City Smart

According to all relevant studies and reports on the topic, we can see that Singapore is the smartest city in the world.

Which Trends in Digital Marketing Should We Anticipate Continuing Into the Future?

When we seek for something on the internet, we put ourselves in the path of digital marketing because the internet is available on practically all digital devices.

Edge of Tomorrow

For over 25 years, Inseego Corp. (Nasdaq: INSG) has been broadening the limits of wireless technology, providing superior wireless connectivity for global service providers, enterprises, and government entities.

University of Central Florida: A World Apart

Within its 13 colleges, the University of Central Florida offers 240 bachelor’s degree programs, 215 master’s degree programs, and 81 doctorate programs, conferring more than 18,000 degrees annually.

What do you Tip an Automaton?

Delivery robots have been a hit on college campuses, and now they’re ready to graduate to the big time. These coolers on wheels still do best in confined areas without too many obstacles to navigate, but these treat-toting trolleys might be delivering near you soon.