Twitter to retry efforts to control harassment on social platform

January 30, 2017

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Twitter to retry efforts to control harassment on social platform 3

This is a story we have heard before from Twitter, so the only question that remains is whether they can succeed. Similar to previous attempts, several Twitter execs announced this evening that the social platform would begin rolling out new measures this week to try to better control and eliminate harassment and abuse directed at users on the system. The charge was led by Ed Ho, Twitter's VP of Engineering, who acknowledged Twitter “didn't move fast enough last year” in trying to implement changes.

https://twitter.com/mrdonut/status/826218727561535488

Ho went on to state that Twitter is now planning to adjust the measures they implement in timeframes measured by days and hours instead of weeks and months. Ho also indicated some of the new changes would be visible to users while others would be in the background and not visible. The commitment from Twitter, according to Ho, is to have a “significant impact” for users on the social platform. Finally, Ho says the first two changes which will roll out later this week include changes to the mute/block function to make it more effective and an attempt to stop “repeat offenders from creating new accounts.”

We're taking a completely new approach to abuse on Twitter. Including having a more open & real-time dialogue about it every step of the way https://t.co/a1SV7URPEK

— jack (@jack) January 31, 2017

Ho's comments were backed up by none other than Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey who chimed in to promise Twitter was taking a “new approach to abuse on Twitter.” Part of that new approach includes being more open and “real-time” with customers. VP of Producct at Twitter, Keith Coleman, indicated the company was planning to listen and iterate “quickly” as changes are introduced.

There's a lot coming. Can't wait to roll it out. We'll be listening and iterating quickly as we go. https://t.co/irqmIOxght

— Keith Coleman 🌱😀🙌 (@kcoleman) January 31, 2017

sources: Ed Ho (Twitter), Jack Dorsey (Twitter), Keith Coleman (Twitter)

Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.

3 comments

Robert Nasiadek says:

January 31, 2017 at 5:12 AM

Poor Butters… :-(

Reply
Patel Nisha says:

January 31, 2017 at 12:25 AM

I get plenty of negative comments on my Twitter account, I just ignore them or prevent people from posting. More mind control and censorship.

Reply
1. Justin_Herrick says:
  
  January 31, 2017 at 11:57 AM
  
  Same, but I think the ignore-and-move-on strategy can only work to a certain degree. Take a look at people who have been truly harassed by a large number of people. The harassers start creating fake accounts and spreading really nasty, untrue things. Twitter could definitely do more.
  
  Reply