Instagram introduces a new filter to combat hate speech, which will prevent blocked contacts from connecting with new accounts.
Popular photo-sharing app Instagram is rolling out a feature that filters offensive terms, phrases, and emojis to prevent users from seeing potentially abusive messages.
Along with the filter choice for inappropriate direct messages, the company said on Wednesday that it would make it more difficult for people who have been blocked by users to reach them via new accounts.
Instagram, which is more common among teenagers and young adults than Facebook’s main app, has been stepping up its efforts to combat hate speech and online harassment on its website.
Users can customize the filter, which can be turned on in Instagram’s privacy settings, to include words, phrases, and emojis they don’t want in their message requests.
Users can report, remove, or open posts, which will be sorted into a secret requests folder, according to Instagram.
According to Instagram, the function will be rolled out in a few countries in the coming weeks and will only apply to direct message requests, not the inbox itself.
After blocking their account, all users will have the option to completely ban people from contacting them on Instagram starting in a few weeks.
