Microsoft Announces New Resources To Report Hate Speech

Economy Jamie Simon
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As more firms are trying to combat online abuse, Microsoft is ramping up its attempts at the same time. The firm has rolled out new sources to counter online hate speech across its services. This is not the first time Microsoft is helping to combat online abuse. In May this year, Microsoft promised to clamp down on terrorism across its online services, updating its policies to prohibit any content associated with terrorist activity.

There have also been some attempts by social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to ensure security within their specific online communities. Only last week, Twitter declared the suspension of 235,000 accounts for encouraging terrorism.

While Microsoft has been active in deterring terrorist content, the firm has not received as much attention as its peers. Services like Outlook, OneDrive, Skype.com, X-Box and Office 365 attract numerous users, which can be too easily overlooked because of new platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.

And while most communications on these platforms are not negative, Microsoft isn’t immune to the sharing of hateful, abusive and occasionally prohibited content. Microsoft routinely processes petitions and filings to remove pornography, copyrighted content, and prohibited content from its solutions.

Jacqueline Beauchere, the Chief Online Safety Office said the firm works with authorities, online security agents, and other engineering firms to ensure that there isn’t any area of its hosted customer solutions for behavior that incites violence and hate.

In a blog post, Jacqueline Beauchere added that Microsoft would carry on their notice-and-take-down tactics for eliminating prohibited content on hosted customer solutions as well as new plans to enhance the quality of customers’ online experience. When hate speech is reported, Microsoft will assess the report, context, and other factors to determine appropriate actions needed.