Twitter to Use Reported Tweet Data for Faster Problem Detection

Twitter Updates its Reporting System for Tweets

Twitter is currently implementing modifications to its tweet reporting process, aiming to enhance how users flag content potentially violating platform guidelines.

Historically, social media platforms, including Twitter, have depended on user reports to identify tweets that may breach established policies. However, the reimagined system seeks to provide the company with a more comprehensive understanding of platform activity, moving beyond evaluating individual reports in isolation.

The new system is being tested with a limited group of users in the United States, with plans for wider release beginning in 2022. This update will replace the current prompts users encounter when submitting a report.

Key Changes to the Reporting Process

A significant alteration involves shifting the responsibility of policy identification. Users will no longer be required to specify which Twitter rule a tweet allegedly violates. Instead, they will provide descriptive information, and Twitter’s automated systems will suggest potential rule breaches.

Reporters can then either confirm the suggested violation or indicate its inaccuracy. This feedback will be utilized to refine Twitter’s reporting mechanisms. The company draws a parallel to consulting a medical professional for symptom analysis rather than attempting self-diagnosis.

Renna Al-Yassini, Senior UX Manager, explained that many reports concern issues that don't precisely fit defined Twitter Rules, yet are still considered deeply problematic by users.

Analyzing Reports for Emerging Trends

Twitter intends to gather and analyze reports falling into this ambiguous area, gaining insights into problematic behaviors on the platform. The goal is to proactively identify emerging trends in areas like harassment, misinformation, and hate speech, before they become widespread.

The company did not disclose whether these changes will necessitate an increase in human moderators, stating that a combination of automated and human review will be employed.

Improving User Experience and Identifying New Issues

Twitter also aims to improve the reporting experience for users, providing more feedback and making the process more impactful, even when a tweet doesn't result in enforcement action. This system addresses user concerns identified through research focused on platform safety.

Fay Johnson, Director of Product Management, highlighted the system’s ability to address “unknown unknowns” and to provide a method for discovering new issues that may not yet have corresponding rules.

Ultimately, Twitter hopes this revised reporting system will contribute to a safer and more informed platform environment.