Social media giant Twitter has released a number of improvements to its harassment and abuse reporting services. The micro-blogging service has made it easier for users to report harassment and abuse via mobile after pressure from governments across the world.
Users won’t need to provide as much in-depth information about initial complaints and are now able to flag tweets and accounts even if the abuse in question isn’t being targeted at them. The service has proved to be controversial over the years, with a number of users being sent to jail after sending abusive messages. Twitter has also made changes to its mechanics in order to offer faster response times. Users will also be able to see a blocked accounts page, reflecting a service also provided by Facebook. It promises that various new features will be rolled out to all users during the next few months, with some users already able to take advantage of them.
Twitter told the BBC that users could expect to receive “more control over their experience”, with their European head of public policy Sinead McSweeney saying “We’ve always said that users’ safety is a priority. It’s a job that we never regard as done.” Twitter says that users will no longer be able to see your profile if you block them promising “more staff and more resources”.
Have you been a victim of abuse on Twitter? Do you feel that enough was done to deal with the perpetrators? Tell us about your experiences below.
