In an effort to offer better services, Twitter, Inc. TWTR rolled out new tools to combat online trolls. Reportedly, last Thursday, the company stated that its new tools will boost users’ experience by prohibiting users from creating fake accounts, post argumentative or controversial posts and leak sensitive personal data.
These tools will allow victims as well as bystanders to report abuse or any harassment easily through a streamlined process. Additionally, Twitter will now allow users to see the "blocked accounts" list and include an unblock option if the user chooses to do so. The company is also seeking new tactics to make it difficult for black-listed users to rejoin the social networking site.
The new abuse tools will be gradually rolled out to the entire user base. These tools are expected to address the current security and safety needs, especially for female users.
Twitter abuse, harassment and controversial content have increased proportionately with the rise in the number of Twitter users, making the online social networking site vulnerable and its users dissatisfied. Following the hacking issues (Read more: Twitter CFO Account Hacked, Cyber Security Threat Looms), online trolls remain one of the biggest issues that Twitter users are facing.
Though the company made efforts to simplify the harassment reporting process (Read more: Twitter to Rollout Improved Report Abuse Feature), these have been inadequate. Consequently, Twitter became a constant media target for malicious content in the form of tweets or reply to the tweets which led some high profile users to quit the site.
After British journalist and activist Caroline Criado-Perez received several abusive messages on Twitter and Zelda Williams quit the social networking platform following abusive comments hinting at the suicide of her celebrity father, the company became more focused on improving its reporting and privacy features Reportedly, Twitter has now tripled the size of its team dealing with abuse victims.
Further, the company has expedited its reviewing process for complaints and looks forward to bring more changes in its platform to address such issues. Earlier, Twitter declared its intention to educate its users about its tools to ensure their safety and privacy.
We believe that these steps to improve the ways of reporting abuses will help Twitter to better serve its existing users and boost the user base, which has also been affected by other social networks like Facebook, Inc. FB.
Currently, Twitter has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the same space are ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd. CKSW and j2 Global, Inc. JCOM, both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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