Twitter tightens up on abusive content

NEW YORK • Twitter Inc. has begun enforcing stricter policies on violent and abusive content like hateful images or symbols, including those attached to user profiles.

The new guidelines, first announced one month ago, were put into place Monday.

Monitors at the company will weigh hateful imagery in the same way they do graphic violence and adult content. If a user wants to post symbols or images that might be considered hateful, the post must be marked “sensitive media.” Other users would then see a warning that would allow them to decide whether to view the post.

Twitter is also prohibiting users from abusing or threatening others through their profiles or usernames.

While the new guidelines became official on Monday, the social media company continues to work out internal monitoring tools and it is revamping the appeals process for banned or suspended accounts. But the company will also begin accepting reports from users.

Users can report profiles, or users, that they consider to be in violation of Twitter policy. Previously, users could only report individual posts they deemed offensive.

Now being targeted are “logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others based on their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin.”

There is no specific list, however, of banned symbols or images. Rather, the company will review complaints individually to consider the context of the post or profile, including cultural and political considerations.

It is also broadening policies to reduce threatening content, including imagery that glorifies or celebrates violent acts. That content will be removed and repeat offenders banned. Beginning Monday, the firm will ban accounts affiliated with “organizations that use or promote violence.”

While more content is banned, the company has provided more leeway for itself after it was criticized for strict rules that resulted in account suspensions. There was a backlash against Twitter after it suspending the account of actress Rose McGowan who opened a public campaign over sexual harassment and abuse, specifically naming Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Twitter eventually reinstated McGowan’s account.