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Trust & Safety changelog

Stay on top of the latest changes affecting your Trust & Safety operations.
This changelog is crowdsourced, feel free to suggest missing items.

Filters: RegulatoryProduct     Geos: USEUUKChinaRoW

Adult contentChild SafetyExtremismHarassmentHateMisinformationPrivacySelf-HarmSubstancesViolence

August 2024

TikTok is launching its Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council to protect children from threats. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety

July 2024

Malaysia is requiring social media services to apply for a license if they have more than 8M users in the country. Read more Malaysia Regulatory
Meta's Oversight Board is asking the platform to refine its policies around AI-generated explicit images. Read more WorldMeta ProductAI
Meta is suspending its generative AI tools in Brazil in response to the government's objections to its new privacy policy. Read more BrazilMeta ProductAI

June 2024

Snapchat is rolling out new safety features aimed at protecting teens from unwanted contacts. Read more WorldSnapchat ProductChild Safety
The United Nations are launching global principles to combat online hate and lies. Read more World Regulatory
YouTube is releasing a new feature allowing users to remove AI content that mimics their face or voice. Read more WorldYouTube ProductAI
WeChat is requiring all creators on the platform to disclose whether a published post was generated using AI. Read more WorldWeChat ProductAI

May 2024

Twitch is disbanding its Safety Advisory Council and is replacing it with Twitch Ambassadors. Read more WorldTwitch Product
OpenAI is creating a safety and security committee led by senior executives. Read more WorldOpenAI Product
TikTok is introducing "Content Credentials", a digital watermark to label AI-created images and videos. Read more or even more WorldTikTok ProductAI

April 2024

TikTok is updating its guidelines to restrict weight loss content. Read more WorldTikTok ProductSubstances
Tinder is adding a new safety feature to the app, so online daters can let friends and families know where they are. Read more WorldTinder Product
Meta is testing features that blur messages containing nudity to safeguard teens on Instagram. Read more WorldMeta ProductChild Safety
Meta is announcing an update to its AI labeling policy, expanding its definition of “manipulated media” to go beyond AI-generated videos. Read more or even more WorldMeta ProductAI

March 2024

TikTok is unveiling a global Youth Council,aiming at improving younger user safety. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety

February 2024

Canada is introducing the Online Harms Act that will make platforms responsible for reducing exposure to damaging content. Read more or even more Canada Regulatory

January 2024

Sri Lanka is passing a new bill to regulate online content. Read more Sri Lanka Regulatory
Substack is implementing a new “report” button in its app, allowing readers to flag posts and publications directly. Read more or even more WorldSubstack Product
Meta is restricting teens from viewing content that deals with topics like suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. Read more WorldMeta ProductChild SafetySelf-harm

December 2023

Sri Lanka is introducing a new hotline through which victims can report harassment of women and children. Read more Sri Lanka ProductChild SafetyHarassment
Meta is rolling out end-to-end encryption for calls and messages across Facebook and Messenger. Read more WorldMeta Product
Meta is planning to disable its cross-messaging feature between Facebook and Instagram to comply with the Digital Market Act. Read more or even more WorldMeta Product

November 2023

Meta is updating its political advertising policies to cover AI-generated imaged and videos. Read more WorldMeta ProductMisinformation
Australia is releasing new online safety standards to tackle terror and CSAM, including deepfakes created using generative AI. Read more or even more Australia RegulatoryChild SafetyExtremismMisinformationViolence
TikTok is taking action to remove videos promoting terrorism from the platform. Read more WorldTikTok ProductExtremismViolence
Meta's Oversight Board is reviewing the app's handling of a video showing an unveiled woman in Iran. Read more WorldMeta Product
Google is launching Notes, an experimental feature that allows users to share human insights on search results. Read more WorldGoogle Product
YouTube is announcing a series of policy changes aiming to inform viewers when content has been generated by AI. Read more WorldYouTube RegulatoryMisinformation
YouTube is launching new features to prevent harmful content exposure for teens. Read more WorldYouTube ProductChild Safety

October 2023

X is announcing that posts corrected by Community Notes will now become ineligible for revenue share. Read more World ProductMisinformation
Meta is declining its Oversight Board's advice from August 2023 to tighten oversight of drug-related posts. Read more WorldMeta ProductSubstances
Discord is unveiling a system called “Teen Safety Assist” that will warn minors when they get a suspicious message. Read more or even more WorldDiscord ProductChild Safety
Meta and TikTok are announcing they took action to counter misinformation following the attack by Hamas on Israel. Read more or even more WorldTikTok ProductMisinformation
Microsoft is launching its Xbox Gaming Safety Toolkit for parents and caregivers in Singapore. Read more SingaporeMicrosoft ProductChild Safety
India is asking X, YouTube and Telegram to ensure any child sexual abuse material is removed from their platforms. Read more IndiaTelegramYouTube RegulatoryChild Safety
Snapchat is facing accusations over its failure to assess privacy risks of its generative AI chatbot "My AI". Read more WorldSnapchat ProductPrivacy
Vietnam is alleging that TikTok is failing to block illegal content, including harmful content for children. Read more VietnamTikTok RegulatoryChild Safety
Meta's Oversight Board is planning to open a case involving political deepfakes. Read more or even more WorldMeta ProductMisinformation

September 2023

X is disabling a tool allowing users to report electoral fake news. Read more World ProductMisinformation
The Mental Health Coalition is launching the Safe Online Standards for Kids' Mental Health (S.O.S) initiative to create a rating system across platforms. Read more World ProductChild Safety
Meta's Oversight Board is urging the platform to improve the distinction between hate speech and criticism of hate speech. Read more WorldMeta ProductHate
Snapchat is announcing new safety features such as In-app Warnings to protect teens from potential online risks. Read more WorldSnapchat ProductChild Safety
Malaysia is considering new regulations that will make Google and Meta compensate news outlets for content sourced from them. Read more MalaysiaGoogleMeta Regulatory

August 2023

ADL is urging Meta’s Oversight Board to take action to improve addressing Holocaust denial and distortion. Read more WorldMeta ProductHateMisinformation
Meta's Oversight Board is announcing Holocaust Denial as a new case for consideration, inviting people and organizations to submit public comments. Read more WorldMeta ProductHateMisinformation
Meta is rejecting a recommendation from its Oversight Board to suspend the account of Cambodia's former Prime Minister. Read more CambodiaMeta ProductViolence
Meta is revising its Adult Sexual Exploitation policy, permitting sharing of content involving non-consensual sexual touching if posted with the aim of raising awareness. Read more WorldMeta ProductAdult
New Zealand is planning to introduce a legislation for a digital services tax on large multinational companies from 2025. Read more New Zealand Regulatory
TikTok is agreeing to moderate content on its platform in Kenya. Read more KenyaTikTok Product
Snap is announcing that its users will soon be able to opt out of content personalization. Read more WorldSnapchat Product
Instagram's users users will now be able to access features without seeing content that's been ranked by Meta's recommendation algorithms. Read more WorldMeta Product
X is announcing it will remove a protective feature letting users block other accounts, except for direct messages. Read more World Product
Google is launching its new Transparency Center on which users can learn more about policies, reporting inappropriate content or appealing a ban. Read more WorldGoogle Product
YouTube is updating its policies to tackle medical misinformation and remove harmful cancer claims. Read more WorldYouTube ProductMisinformation
Meta's Oversight Board is urging the company to have stricter rules bannning gender-based violence. Read more WorldMeta ProductHate

July 2023

Seven big tech companies are agreeing to commit to new standards in security, trust and safety. Read more World Product
Singapore is introducing a new code of practice for social media platforms to ensure online safety. Read more Singapore RegulatoryChild SafetyViolence
Xbox is adding a reactive voice chat moderation, allowing players to capture and submit 60-second audio clips of inappropriate voice chat messages. Read more WorldMicrosoft Product
Discord is expanding its policies to address generative artificial intelligence that can create fake content and the sexualization of children. Read more WorldDiscord ProductChild Safety

June 2023

Meta's oversight board is urging Cambodian Prime Minister's suspension for six months for posting a video violating rules against violent threats. Read more CambodiaMeta ProductViolence
TikTok is launching a new feature enabling parents to filter out videos they don't want their children to see. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety
TikTok is developing a youth council to build safety tools that are more effective for teenagers. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety
Meta is rolling back its measures to curb the spread of Covid misinformation. Read more WorldMeta ProductMisinformation
Meta is implementing new updates requiring advertisers to designate the beneficiary and the payer for their ads. Read more WorldMeta Product
The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) is releasing a database compiling more than 300 hate and far-right extremist symbols. Read more or even more World ProductExtremismHate
Apple is annoucing that a new feature will soon warn users when receiving unsolicited nudes. Read more WorldApple ProductAdult
YouTube is announcing it will no longer remove videos with false claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Read more WorldYouTube ProductMisinformation
Meta shareholders are voting against an inquiry into allegations of political entanglement and content management biases. Read more IndiaMeta Regulatory

May 2023

Twitter is launching Community Notes for images in posts to address misleading images and emphasize crowdsourced moderation. Read more WorldTwitter ProductMisinformation
The EU is launching a Digital Transformation Centre to support Kenya's transition, promoting a human-centered digital economy. Read more KenyaUE Regulatory
Vietnam is planning to require Facebook, YouTube and TikTok users to verify their accounts Read more VietnamMetaTikTokYouTube Regulatory
Mozilla is launching a new Mastodon server to test content moderation that is different to other social media platforms, with no focus on free speech or ‘neutrality’. Read more WorldMozilla Product

April 2023

TikTok is changing its misinformation policy to ban all climate change denial content on its platform. Read more WorldTikTok ProductMisinformation
Meta's Oversight Board is asking the social media company to keep its covid misinformation policy and to be more transparent when removing content. Read more WorldMeta ProductMisinformation
YouTube is updating its guidelines for eating disorder-related content, banning content including extreme calorie counting or purging after eating. Read more WorldYouTube ProductSelf-harm
Twitter is removing a policy prohibiting the targeted deadnaming or misgendering of transgender people from its moderation guidelines. Read more WorldTwitter ProductHate
Twitter is planning to add visible labels on tweets that have been identified as potentially violating its policies. Read more WorldTwitter Product
Brazil is introducing new social media restrictions over school violence content. Read more Brazil RegulatoryChild SafetyViolence
Vietnam is announcing it will start to investigate TikTok in May for harmful content. Read more VietnamTikTok Regulatory
India is prohibiting Facebook, Twitter and others from hosting misleading information about the government, requiring them to rely on their own fact-check unit. Read more IndiaFacebookTwitter RegulatoryMisinformation
Snapchat is launching new tools to improve its AI chatbot, including an age filter ensuring it responds according to the user's age. Read more WorldSnapchat ProductChild Safety
Facebook is planning to roll out new policies making users able to have greater control over "demoted" and fact-checked content. Read more WorldMeta Product
Canada is examining a bill requiring sites showing sexually explicit material to have valid age verification for users. Read more Canada RegulatoryAdultChild Safety

March 2023

Twitter is opening some source code to public inspection, including the algorithm used to recommend tweets to users. Read more WorldTwitter Product
Meta is rolling out a new system to separate ads from harmful or controversial content. Read more WorldMeta Product
Meta's oversight board is uphelding an April 2022 decision allowing users in Sri Lanka to solicit drugs on Facebook to fight an ongoing medical supply crisis. Read more Sri LankaMeta ProductSubstances
Teleperformance is resuming its full-service content moderation services, including moderation of highly egregious content. Read more WorldTeleperformance Product
Yubo and the AFNOR Group are forming a working group to create a new safety standard on the prevention of risks and protection of minors on social networks. Read more or even more WorldAFNORYubo ProductChild Safety
TikTok is unveiling its updated community guidelines that will focus on improving content moderation on the platform and take effect on April 21st. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild SafetyMisinformation
Snapchat is publishing guidelines in its Family Center, detailing how content gets algorithmically recommended to minors. Read more WorldSnapchat ProductChild Safety
UNESCO is launching a National Coalition on Freedom of Expression and Content Moderation in Kenya. Read more Kenya RegulatoryHateMisinformation
Meta is introducing a new way for users to authenticate their account with a missed call. Read more WorldMeta ProductPrivacy
Meta's oversight board is reviewing the moderation of the Arabic word "shaheed", meaning "martyr" in English, the word associated with most content removals. Read more WorldMeta ProductExtremism
Meta's oversight board is planning to scrutinize the social network’s policies surrounding election content in Brazil and other “high-risk” areas. Read more BrazilMeta ProductMisinformation
Whatsapp is agreeing to be more transparent on changes to its terms of service according to the European Commission. Read more or even more WorldMeta Product
Facebook is revamping its "cross-check" moderation system after facing criticism for applying different review processes for VIP vs regular users. Read more WorldMeta Product
Twitter is now prohibiting "wishes of harm" in its new violent speech policy, banning users expressing desire for harm. Read more WorldTwitter ProductHateViolence
TikTok is setting a new default 60-minute daily screen time limit for minors. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety

February 2023

Singapore is examining a new Code of Practice seeking to remove harmful content from app stores. Read more Singapore RegulatoryAdultChild SafetyViolence
Australian e-safety commissioner is asking TikTok, Twitter and Google to hand over information on handling online child abuse. Read more or even more AustraliaGoogleTikTokTwitter RegulatoryChild Safety
Meta is reforming its penalty system "Facebook Jail", saying users will now be receiving a warning first for most violations. Read more WorldMeta Product
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is launching a new short-code aiming at combating fake news. Read more Nigeria RegulatoryMisinformation
Meta is launching Meta Verified in Australia and New Zealand, a new paid verification service. Read more AustraliaNew ZealandMeta Product
Meta's oversight board is announcing it will now review more types of content moderation cases and publish some decisions on an expedited basis. Read more WorldMeta Product
Meta is rolling out a new version of its ad-matching tool, providing more information about how users activities are feeding ML models. Read more WorldMeta ProductPrivacy
Meta is launching new comment moderation tools allowing creators on Facebook to view moderation statistics and manage conversations. Read more WorldMeta Product
Google is introducing a blur feature helping users avoiding explicit images while using the search engine. Read more WorldGoogle ProductAdultViolence
TikTok is opening transparency and accountability centers to visitors. Read more WorldTikTok Product
TikTok is rolling out a revamped account enforcement system, including a new strike system and features dealing with recommendations. Read more WorldTikTok Product

January 2023

Japan is creating a new agency to counter fake news and online disinformation. Read more Japan RegulatoryMisinformation
Twitter is planning to limit permanent suspensions of accounts breaking its rules, adding that any user will be able to appeal an account suspension. Read more WorldTwitter Product
India is forming three Grievance Appellate Committees to oversee social media content moderation. Read more India Regulatory
The National Police Agency is adding murder, guns and explosives to contents that can be requested for removal by internet service providers in March. Read more Japan RegulatoryViolence
Tinder and WESNET are releasing a Dating Safety Guide including the ability to block abusive users, report offensive messages instantly and access to the Australian Safety Centre. Read more or even more AustraliaTinder Product
TikTok is launching its offline Safety Ambassadors Programme in Bangladesh as part of the #SaferTogether campaign to make the platform safer. Read more BangladeshTikTok Product
Meta's oversight board is announcing the removal of the Ukrainian far-right military group Azov Regiment from its list of dangerous individuals and organizations. Read more WorldMeta ProductExtremism
Meta's oversight board is sharing their decision to redefine Facebook and Instagram's community rules regarding nudity in a less discriminatory way. Read more or even more WorldMeta ProductAdult
The United Nation’s 2022 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) is discussing internet fragmentation among democracies vs. driven by authoritarian states. Read more World Regulatory
TikTok is announcing creators are now able to restrict their videos to adult viewers. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety
Google is developing a free moderation tool for terrorist material identification and removal for smaller platforms. Read more WorldGoogle ProductExtremism

December 2022

In Thailand, a new law is forcing online service providers and social media platforms to take down content within 24 hours without a court order. Read more Thailand Regulatory
Meta is launching HMA, a new free tool helping platforms identify and remove violating content. Read more or even more WorldMeta ProductExtremism
Apple is cancelling its plan to scan photos stored in iCloud to detect CSAM. Read more WorldApple ProductChild Safety
Meta's oversight board is suggesting that Meta's cross check programme is more commercially driven than commited to human rights. Read more WorldMeta Product
TikTok and Bumble are joining Meta to stop revenge porn by blocking images from StopNCII.org's bank of hashes. Read more or even more WorldTikTokBumbleMeta ProductAdult

November 2022

Naver Z is introducing its Safety Advisory Council providing expertise on their policy and features. Read more or even more WorldNaver Product
Singapore is passing an Online Safety Bill requiring social media sites to block "harmful content" within hours. Read more Singapore Regulatory
Twitter is announcing its Covid misinformation policy is no longer enforced. Read more or even more WorldTwitter ProductMisinformation
Teleperformance is announcing it will no longer accept any new highly egregious content moderation work. Read more WorldTeleperformance Product
Australia, Fiji, Ireland and the UK are launching a Global Online Safety Regulators Network paving the way for a coherent international approach to online safety regulation. Read more AustraliaFijiIrelandUK Regulatory
Vietnam is tightening regulations regarding "false" content on social media platforms so that it is taken down within 24 hours instead of 48 hours. Read more Vietnam RegulatoryMisinformation

October 2022

The Indian government is forming a government panel to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions by social media platforms. Read more India Regulatory
TikTok is introducing new and updated features and policies for its LIVE community. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety
Twitter is reviewing its policies around permanently banning users. Read more WorldTwitter Product
Spotify is acquiring Kinzen, a firm specialized in identifying harmul audio content. Read more WorldSpotify ProductHateMisinformation
Singapore is introducing a bill into Parliament to fight egregious and harmful online content. Read more Singapore RegulatoryAdultChild SafetyExtremismSelf-harm

September 2022

Tumblr is creating community labels allowing users to avoid seeing unwanted content. Read more WorldTumblr ProductAdultSubstancesViolence
Twitter is opening the Twitter Moderation Research Consortium (TMRC) to researchers. Read more WorldTwitter Product
Instagram is developing a feature protecting users from receiving unsolicited nude photos. Read more WorldMeta ProductAdult
Facebook is experimenting with asking 250 users to help moderate climate speech. Read more WorldMeta ProductMisinformation
YouTube is announcing updated content moderation policies to prohibit violent extremist content. Read more WorldYouTube ProductExtremism
Twitter is expanding its fact-checking feature Birdwatch, allowing users to add additional context to tweets. Read more WorldTwitter ProductMisinformation

August 2022

OpenAI is introducing a content moderation endpoint assessing whether the content is sexual, hateful or promoting self-harm. Read more WorldOpenAI ProductAdultHateSelf-harm
TikTok is said to be training its moderators to detect CSAM using graphic images and videos as a reference guide. Read more WorldTikTok ProductChild Safety
Indonesia is blocking access to various online platforms such as PayPal, Steam and Yahoo after they failed to comply with a regulatory deadline. Read more Indonesia Regulatory

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