Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is taking a bold step in addressing online safety concerns with the announcement of hiring 100 content moderators for its new office in Austin, Texas.
This strategic move aims to combat child abuse online, placing a special focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE).
X, formerly known as Twitter, recently unveiled its “Trust and Safety Center of Excellence,” showcasing a commitment to creating a safer digital space.
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X’s Pledge Against Child Sexual Exploitation
In a blog post by CEO Linda Yaccarino, X acknowledges the gravity of child sexual exploitation on social media platforms and outlines the company’s proactive measures.
Yaccarino stated, “While X is not the platform of choice for children and minors – users between 13-17 account for less than 1% of our daily U.S. users – we have made it more difficult for bad actors to share or engage with CSE material on X.”
The platform is simultaneously simplifying the reporting process for users encountering CSE content.
Enhancing Detection Mechanisms
Yaccarino emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance detection mechanisms, aiming to identify and report more content related to child sexual exploitation on the platform.
The company reported a significant increase in account suspensions, with 12.4 million accounts suspended in 2023 compared to 2.3 million in 2022.
Furthermore, X referred 850,000 reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in 2023, a remarkable eightfold increase from Twitter’s referrals in 2022 before Elon Musk’s ownership group acquisition.
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Challenges Post Twitter Takeover:
Following Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter in 2022, the social media mogul faced criticism for changes in the content moderation policy.
These changes led to some advertisers reconsidering their spending on the platform.
However, X’s commitment to combatting child sexual exploitation reflects a proactive approach to address such concerns and ensure a safer online environment.
The Role of the Austin Trust and Safety Center:
X is actively in the process of assembling a dedicated team of content moderators for its new “Trust and Safety Center of Excellence” in Austin, Texas.
Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, shared insights, stating, “The team is currently being built.”
The successful fulfillment of these positions by the end of the year hinges on finding the right talent.
The Austin facility is not only poised to combat child sexual exploitation but will also play a crucial role in addressing other forms of harmful content prevalent on social media platforms.
Prioritising Online Safety
Elon Musk’s X is making significant strides in prioritizing online safety with the introduction of the Austin-based Trust and Safety Center.
The commitment to combat child sexual exploitation and enhance content moderation demonstrates the platform’s dedication to creating a secure and responsible online space.
As the team continues to evolve, X’s efforts underline the importance of collaborative initiatives between technology companies and the wider community to ensure the well-being of users, particularly the vulnerable demographic of children and minors.
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