Instagram is adding user-customizable language filters for Direct Message (DM) requests. The new tool is part of a number of measures that it is taking to help tackle abuse on the platform. They are the latest in a number of recent efforts to curb abusive and offensive content.
In February, Instagram introduced stricter penalties for users who send abusive DMs. It also reiterated its stance against hate speech and outlined some of the measures it has been taking to deal with such content when it arises. Instagram notes that while it proactively looks for abusive or offensive content that is publicly viewable, it does not do so in DMs as they are private, although users have been able to report such messages. It has also been focusing on increasing positivity by testing a feature that hides likes counts.
Now, Instagram is introducing a new tool that will help better combat abusive and offensive content in DMs. Users can turn on a tool that filters out hateful language (words and emojis) from DM requests. In recognition that some people find different things offensive to others, it is also possible for users to add their own words, phrases, and emojis to be filtered out. The tool will stop filtered message requests from going into a user's inbox and instead place them into a separate folder.
How Instagram Is Blocking Abuse
Instagram's new tool is a good first line of defense, but users can still view the filtered messages if they choose to do so by simply opening the hidden requests folder. Similarly, the abusive or offensive content within the message will be censored, but users can choose to read it by clicking to reveal what is hidden. This at least puts the user in control of what they might see and when they might see it, if at all.
Instagram says the tool is focused on DM requests — pending messages from people a user doesn't follow — as "this is where people usually receive abusive messages - unlike your regular DM inbox, where you receive messages from friends." Unfamiliar people messaging users will default to the requests inbox, rather than the regular one. Most offensive messages go through DM requests simply because it contains messages from random people. Though it contains the most potential for offensive language, Instagram still promises not to store information from users' requests, unless it was reported — a big improvement from its previous system.
Besides adding the manual filter, Instagram is introducing protections against blocked users being able to create new accounts to harass the same people. In addition, it is making the current filter list smarter by automatically adding common (and purposeful) misspellings of blocked words in an attempt to bypass the filter.
Source: Instagram