Twitter expands ‘mute’ function to combat online abuse

Twitter is expanding a “mute” function that will allow users to mute accounts they don’t want to see tweets from.

Now, you can mute keywords, phrases and conversations that you don’t want to see or receive notifications about.

In a blog post, the company says it is making it easier to report hateful conduct. “We’ve also improved our internal tools and systems in order to deal more effectively with this conduct when it’s reported to us. Our goal is a faster and more transparent process.”

Twitter says they have re-trained support staff by hosting special sessions on cultural and historical contextualization of hateful conduct, and implemented an ongoing refresher program. “This will improve our ability to process these reports, which helps reduce the burden on the person experiencing the abuse, and helps to strengthen a culture of collective support on Twitter,” the post read.