internet – BRICkS

Instagram against hate speech

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Sep 122016

Instagram’s Company recently announced that a new tool for filtering negative comments is available for its users.

The social network will automatically hide comments containing words or sentences considered inappropriate.

“Today, we’re taking the next step to ensure Instagram remains a positive place to express yourself,” Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom writes in a post. “The first feature we’re introducing is a keyword moderation tool that anyone can use. Now, when you tap the gear icon on your profile, you’ll find a new Comments tool. This feature lets you list words you consider offensive or inappropriate. Comments with these words will be hidden from your posts.”

It is a change for the better and an important action taken by the Company against abuse on the Internet.

Hate speech regulations or free speech restrictions?

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Mrz 042016

This article was published on PRISM Project web site, and it focuses on the complex question of freedom of speech.

Where is the borderline between personal opinion, freedom of expression and hate speech? Certainly, there is a thin line between free speech and hate speech, and the damage results consists on the offense caused to the victims. In many circumstances, we can only choose to protect the rights of others by prohibiting certain kinds of speech.

It is important to understand what the danger of not taking actions against these negative comments is: not react facilitate the spread of hate speech among users. Therefore, we have to play a positive role in combating hate speech by challenging offensive views, as actors of civil society too.

Read the article here