By Jennie
Twitter’s CEO has announced plans to implement measures to curb hateful speech on the popular social-networking site. In an interview with the Financial Times, CEO Dick Costolo talked about how to eliminate trolls while allowing as much free expression as possible.
Hiding replies from users whose profiles do not contain a bio or picture and who do not have any followers is one measure that’s been discussed. Costolo does not plan to eliminate pseudonymous usernames, which are ubiquitous on Twitter, much more so than on say, Facebook. Twitter realizes that fake usernames allow trolls and haters to tweet with complete anonymity, but at the same time it allows for a more frank discussion among those who might not be comfortable expressing their thoughts so boldly under their real names.
It’s easy to see the holes in Twitter’s plans – determined trolls will find a way around any new rules fairly easily. But perhaps the company exerting a bit more control over content will discourage the casual hater or troll from spewing their ugliness into the Twitterverse, and thus make it a slightly more civil place for everyone.
What do you think?
About the Author:
Jennie has contributed to Imperfect Women since its inception in 2009. She writes about politics, celebrity news, and anything else that catches her interest. She can be reached at jennie@imperfectwomen.com.
Curbing #hate speech on Twitter?
Good luck with that. They could start by enforcing the rules they already have. I would love to see hater’s IP addresses banned, but I know it’s not feasible right now. I am sure there is a genius geek out there who could figure it out though.
It would be a huge under taking, but if they just at the IP’s that have been reported, it would be fairly easy to start there. When someone tweets over and over to a person who has no interaction with them back, it should be spam.
Someone who has over 50K tweets directed to one person… with most tweets being obscene … should be monitored and BLOCKED. The haters think they are so clever, but they are nothing but hate-filled, narcissistic SCUM. I can’t believe that Twitter isn’t monitoring them already. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech.
I would hope they could at least get rid of the most obvious ones. I wish them luck
There does need to be changes. Everyone should be able to enjoy using Twitter. I think if someone has someone blocked that maybe that person should not be able to show up in their timeline. I don’t know.
I am sure Twitter must get so many complaints.
When someone tweets over and over to a person who has no interaction with them back, it should be spam.
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From your mouth to God’s (or Twitter’s tech team) ears!
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Judy, 50K!? What a sicko.
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Like a lot of things, I guess I take a (somewhat) hopeful attitude until proven wrong. I don’t expect it to be the ultimate fix. I think users still need to take a proactive approach. Block, block and block. I feel really bad for new tweeters who tweet Kate and get pounced on though. I’m not sure what to do about that. And obviously it is a problem that goes far beyond Kate, other reality stars, whoever else the lonely and bitter want to make a target that day. I don’t have any real answers, but I know that those of us who have at least a high school education and are (relatively!) sane should be able to communicate our opinions without nasty language or taunts. It doesn’t matter how passionate you happen to feel about the subject. When you take it down to a vulgar, juvenile and coarse manner, the majority tune out what you have to say….
Kate has to stop folks from harassing and spamming her. Nobody else can do it for her, with the exception of an attorney. However, reporting violations for each hater & linking their tweet is cumbersome.
Sometime this week, I’m emailing Kate with instructions and a template for reporting Twitter violations. I can’t discuss it openly because haters read your blog.
Twitter is confusing for some. I once wrote as a fan to Kate saying to her she was doing the rock and roll marathon in Las Vegas for attention, I actually meant it in the way to bring attention to a cause, her cause was bowel problems, my daughter has been very ill with a problem. Next thing I was blocked, it is very easy to be taken the wrong way because you only have limited characters. So I haven’t been bothered tweeting since and I know of others that were really big fans of Kate and the kids, that also had it happen to them. I don’t think twitter is for everyone, it is too easy to be taken the wrong way. She probably would be better of having some other way of talking to her fans.
I don’t know why people think all social etiquette goes out the window online. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you have to. Trolls just use freedom of speech as a lame argument/justification to be hateful.
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I agree with Anya about users being proactive. Ignore, block, report but often that is not good enough. I’m pessimistic about it. I really don’t think anything can be done. Probably since the internet started and as long as there is anonymity (and sometimes even without) people will be mean. Good luck with that, Twitter.