New measures to protect users from inappropriate behavior

Facebook on Wednesday announced the activation of several new features designed to better protect Instagram users from abuse and inappropriate behavior. The parent company of the social network explained on its blog that it wants to “give people more control over their experience.” For this, it has launched worldwide the “Limits” tool which automatically hides messages from Internet users who do not follow you, reports
01Net, this Thursday.

The feature also applies to recently subscribed accounts and can be turned on and off at will. The company is currently working on an alert system that will suggest the use of “Limits” in the event of a spike in derogatory interactions. The new tool is being rolled out and should be available to all users in the coming days.

Today we’re announcing three updates to protect people from racism and abuse on Instagram. We don’t allow hate speech or bullying on our platform, and we hope these new tools will help protect people from having to experience abuse.

— Adam Mosseri ???? (@mosseri) August 11, 2021

A stricter alert message and better filtering

This tool thus comes in addition to the “Masqueraded Words” operation, already offered in several countries since the beginning of the year and available everywhere else by the end of August. This is a filtering system that automatically hides direct messages containing certain potentially offensive words or phrases in a dedicated folder. The words affected by the device are insulting in nature and their list is regularly updated.

The third action taken by Facebook concerns a stern warning message appearing earlier than before. Indeed, an Instagram user previously received a first alert message before sending a potentially offensive message. The tone of the warning grew harsher in the event of repeated submissions of this type of content. “Instead of waiting for the second or third upload, we will now post this more severe message the first time,” said Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram.

The alert will warn the affected user that their comment will be hidden and that their account may be banned. “We hope that these new features will further prevent people from being exposed to offensive content that is racist, sexist, homophobic or any other kind of insult. […] We have a responsibility to make sure that everyone feels safe when they are on Instagram, ”said the company.