Instagram launches new features to help people protect themselves from abuse on Instagram, following the offenses and racist messages circulated on the platform during the European football championships and the Olympics.
There comes the ability to limit comments and requests through private messages (DMs) "during attention spans";
but also tougher notifications when people try to post potentially offensive comments;
finally, the global launch of the 'Hidden words' function, which allows users to filter abusive requests, always in private messages.
"We hope that these new features can protect people even more from seeing abusive content, be it racist, sexist, homophobic or any other kind - explains Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram - We know that there is still a lot to do, such as improving our systems to find and remove abusive content faster and holding those who publish it accountable. And we also know that, despite our efforts to fight hate on our platform, these are bigger problems than we are. ".
In particular, the platform introduces 'Limits', "an easy-to-activate feature that automatically hides comments and direct message requests from people who don't follow you, or who have only recently started following you".
"We have developed this function - adds Mosseri - because interacting with creators and public figures we have realized that sometimes they find themselves having to manage sudden peaks of comments and requests for direct messages from people they do not know. In many cases it is a question of Messages of appreciation and support, at other times, however, can also mean a wave of negative comments or unwanted messages. If it has already happened or if you think it might happen, now you can activate Limits and avoid it. "