Instagram Tests New Anti-Harassment Tools & Limits

Instagram Introduces “Limits” Feature to Combat Harassment

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has verified that the platform is currently evaluating a new functionality known as “Limits.” This feature is designed to empower users to temporarily secure their accounts when experiencing a surge of harassment.

The announcement regarding this new capability was delivered today via a video statement. In the statement, Mosseri strongly condemned the recent instances of racism that surfaced on Instagram following the Euro 2020 final.

Addressing Recent Abuse and System Errors

Mosseri highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance both its internal processes and the tools available to users, aiming to effectively address the issue of online harassment.

Previously, Instagram had issued a statement denouncing the racist abuse directed at England footballers Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho. These players were subjected to vicious harassment from disgruntled fans following the team’s defeat earlier this month.

Mosseri explained that Instagram was utilizing technology to prioritize user reports. However, the system incorrectly categorized some reports of racist comments as benign, failing to escalate them to human moderators for review.

A contributing factor to this error was the use of emoji within the harassing messages. Instagram’s systems struggled to interpret the intended meaning of these emoji, as their interpretations can vary depending on context.

Corrective Measures and Scale of the Problem

Mosseri acknowledged Instagram’s mistake and confirmed that the issue has since been rectified. He also stated that Instagram had been proactively monitoring comments directed at the footballers, but did not foresee the sheer volume of user reports that would be generated.

He emphasized the immense scale of user reports received daily – millions – and noted that even a 1% error rate results in tens of thousands of problematic posts remaining visible on the platform.

Existing Tools for User Protection

Mosseri then outlined several user-facing tools already available to help individuals manage harassment directly on their accounts. These include the Block and Restrict features.

The Restrict tool allows users to approve comments from specific individuals before they become visible to others. It also enables users to read messages without triggering read receipts.

Furthermore, the recently introduced Hidden Words feature allows users to block specific keywords in both comments and direct messages.

The “Limits” Feature: A Closer Look

Mosseri suggested that the “Limits” feature could have been beneficial to the footballers, providing them with simple settings to limit unwanted comments and reactions.

The feature was initially discovered earlier this month by social media consultant Matt Navarra, who shared screenshots demonstrating its functionality. However, Instagram had not yet made a formal announcement.

According to the shared images, users accessing the feature will find a new “Limits” section within Instagram’s privacy controls. This section explains the ability to temporarily limit comments and messages from specific follower groups.

Users can toggle settings to limit interactions from groups such as recent followers and accounts that do not follow them. These groups are often sources of spam or harassment.

Typically, during periods of intense abuse, the majority of harassing activity originates from new accounts created specifically for that purpose, rather than from long-term followers.

The feature also allows users to specify a duration for the Limits, ranging from a few days to several weeks.

An Instagram spokesperson confirmed that the feature operates as depicted in the images, describing it as a tool to help users manage “intense instances of harassment or abuse.”

Use Cases and Availability

Mosseri explained the potential utility of Limits in various scenarios. “Maybe you’re in high school and you are going through a breakup or you just switched schools. Or maybe you are a professional footballer and you’re receiving a lot of harassment,” he stated.

He added, “Whatever it is, we know that people sometimes are in temporary moments of real risk of pain, and we want to give them tools to protect themselves in those situations.”

Instagram has not yet announced a specific date for the public release of the feature, but it is currently being tested on mobile devices in select countries.