Announced today, Twitter's latest effort includes a change designed to prevent suspended users from repeatedly returning under new account names. Twitter will also give users new abilities to filter out potentially offensive content via "safe search," and will work to hide -- though not delete -- conversations that might be abusive.
Twitter has faced criticism for years that it doesn't do enough to prevent attacks, threats and hate speech directed at some users, especially at women, people of color and other minorities. Last year, at least two potential buyers, Disney and Salesforce, reportedly backed away from acquisition plans due to such concerns.
"We heard you, we didn't move fast enough last year; now we're thinking about progress in days and hours not weeks and months," Twitter vice president of engineering Ed Ho said in a string of tweets last week. "We'll listen, learn and keep shipping until we've made a significant impact that people can feel."
Today, Ho provided more details about the latest changes Twitter is rolling out. For example, the company is taking steps to identify people who have been permanently suspended for abusive or harassing behavior so they cannot simply create new accounts to continue such behavior, he said.
Another change will allow users to opt for "safe search" results that hide potentially sensitive content as well as tweets from blocked or muted accounts. In the coming weeks, abusive and "low-quality" replies will also be collapsed in conversations, although those comments can still be viewed if users choose to do so.
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