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algorithms

Twitter admits 'mistakes will be made' as it tries new ways to combat online trolls

New algorithms will be used to weed out online trolls.

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM Twitter has announced a range of new updates that they’re introducing to reduce the abusive content on the site.

These updates include enhanced algorithms to weed out abuse, extra filtering options for your notifications, and communicating what they do in a more transparent manner.

The company said the moves would balance their “commitment to freedom of expression” alongside calls from users to “improve their experience”.

These measures are the latest in new features announced at the beginning of February, which aim to reduce the presence of online trolls using Twitter, and help users avoid abusive content.

Leveraging technology

Twitter says it’s working to identify accounts as they’re engaging in abusive behaviour, even when this is not reported to them.

They say they’ll take action by limiting account functionality, such as allowing only their followers to see their tweets.

“We aim to only act on accounts,” a statement said, “when we’re confident, based on our algorithms, that their behaviour is abusive.

“Since these tools are new we will sometimes make mistakes, but know that we are actively working to improve and iterate on them everyday.”

They add that people will be notified when Twitter receives a report, and if the site takes action as a result.

Read: Twitter to clamp down on trolls as new safety features unveiled

Read: Number of people granted Irish citizenship in 2015 almost half that of 2012 peak

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