Elon Musk’s Social Media Company, X, is making headlines once again, this time for its ambitious plans to combat child abuse content. The company, which was formerly known as Twitter and acquired by Musk in 2022, is actively recruiting 100 content moderators for its upcoming office in Austin, Texas. The primary goal of this new office, as stated by X executive Joe Benarroch, is to focus on combating child abuse content on the platform. The company aims to complete the hiring process by the end of the year, contingent on finding suitable talent.
This announcement comes ahead of a US Senate hearing on January 31, which addresses online child sexual exploitation. X’s Chief Executive, Linda Yaccarino, is scheduled to testify alongside CEOs from Meta Platforms, Snap, TikTok, and Discord. The move to establish a “Trust and Safety Center of Excellence” in Austin signifies a proactive approach by X to address the issue of harmful content on its platform.
Since Musk’s acquisition of the company, X has faced criticism for its controversial posts and its efforts to revamp the platform’s content moderation policies. However, in a recent blog post, X disclosed that it suspended 12.4 million accounts in the previous year for violating rules against child sexual exploitation, marking a substantial increase from the 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022.
The new Austin centre will not only focus on combating child abuse content but will also contribute to the company’s efforts to address various forms of harmful content. This signifies a step in the right direction for X as it continues to evolve and prioritize the safety and well-being of its users.
Opinion on the topic varies, with some applauding X’s proactive stance in combatting harmful content, while others remain skeptical of Musk’s ability to effectively manage and regulate the platform. Nevertheless, the move to establish a dedicated office in Austin focused on content moderation is a significant step for the company as it confronts the complex challenge of ensuring a safe and positive online environment for its users.