Some personal news, as they say
Much of the work I've done over the years has circled around the problem of how to balance human moderation and automation. Now I'll be doing it within an AI moderation company
People want niche online spaces - how do we make them safe?
A survey from The Verge and Vox suggests that users are moving away from global platforms and towards small, niche communities. But how will that affect Trust & Safety practices? And where should we focus our attention?
How to get buy-in for T&S (part one)
Companies tend to invest in Trust & Safety when there's a brand or reputation risk, which isn't a structured or sustainable way to build a safety programme. Using a framework, like the Hierarchy of Growth Business Needs, can help to get buy-in before there's an emergency
How to write better transparency reports
Mandated transparency reports are a cornerstone of online safety regulation. But dozens of companies still produce voluntary disclosures that take significant time and energy to pull together. What is the purpose of these reports now that so much other information is in the public domain?
NCMEC funding — and what happens next
LGBTQ+ children face unique risks online, yet political pressure has forced the removal of critical research and support. For those working in Trust & Safety, the question isn’t whether this will have an impact — it’s how we respond before more harm is done.
Is it time to unite T&S and AI ethics?
There's enormous potential in bringing together these often siloed disciplines and organisational functions. Given the complex, intertwined risks of AI and human interaction, it may even be a necessity.
My five Trust & Safety mantras for difficult moments
The moment we find ourself in feels politically and socially fraught meaning that T&S workers need to look out for themselves more than ever. Here's what I say to myself during times of stress
It's hard in T&S right now but it's not all bad
Exciting AI developments from Reddit and Hinge and the resourcefulness and innovation of the T&S community are a reminder that Trust & Safety is an industry with lots to be proud of
The ethical and practical flaws in Meta's policy overhaul
Yes, Meta's recent policy overhaul says a lot about the company's priorities, leadership and strategic direction. But it's also a badly written and confusing policy. And the problem with bad policies is that they are very hard to enforce correctly.
I read the State of Safety Tech report so you don’t have to (but you should)
An important, and growing, part of the Trust & Safety landscape is the support and expertise provided by technology services companies (aka vendors). A new report sheds more light on these companies
