Twitter’s harassment reporting process has long been criticized as inadequate, but the company is taking one more step to make it better. On Monday, Twitter rolled out the ability to report multiple tweets in a single report.
Previously, users had to report tweets individually, so it was a complicated and inconsistent way of telling Twitter about abuse. For instance, if someone sent multiple tweets with threatening or harassing content, the person being harassed would have to report each one individually, which wouldn’t demonstrate the full extent to which someone was getting harassed in one comprehensive email to the company.
https://twitter.com/safety/status/724646130613555200
Along with the new reporting feature, Twitter sent out an email reminding people of Mute, Block, and reporting systems—it looks like Twitter is trying to be more proactive in educating its users about safety.
Twitter said the new feature will help expedite resolving issues and make it easier to see the full extent of the harassment.
This update makes it easier for you to provide us with more information about the extent of abuse and reduces the time it takes to do so. That added context often helps us investigate issues and get them resolved faster.
Earlier this year, Twitter announced a Trust and Safety council made up of nonprofits and businesses working on improving online harassment reporting. The groups involved with Twitter’s new focus will supposedly help make the platform safer and better for people by giving feedback on policies, features, and programs Twitter implements.
To combat harassment where Twitter fails, multiple user-created tools have tried to fill the void left by the company. Group block lists and automated blocking are two tools people use to try and curtail harassment.
The new reporting feature is debuting the day before Twitter is set to report its first quarter earnings call, during which the company may talk about the ways its doubling down on safety. Harassment and trolling is one of the major issues the company faces while trying to grow and appeal to new users, and keep those it has from leaving after one too many hurtful tweets.
