Microsoft announces new dedicated web form for reporting hate speech

In a bid to curb hate speech and ensure safe online communities, Microsoft has announced a new dedicated web form for reporting hate speech on its hosted consumer services as also a separate online form for petitions to reconsider reinstatement of content.

The resources would allow Microsoft users to communicate directly with the firm to report hate speech and request petition to reinstate content via online forms.

"We will continue our 'notice-and-takedown' approach for removing prohibited content on hosted consumer services, and the new form aims to improve the quality and speed of our reviews," Jacqueline Beauchere, chief online safety officer at Microsoft, said in a blog post yesterday.

"When hate speech is reported to us, we will evaluate each complaint, consider context and other factors, and determine appropriate action with respect to the content and the user's account," she added.

Microsoft online services include Outlook, Skype, Xbox, OneDrive and Office 365, which draw millions of users.

"We're making it simpler for users to report hate speech. We are also adding a new multi-service reconsideration form to request reinstatement of content that customers feel was disabled in error. We will review submissions via this new form, and if appropriate, reinstate the content," Beauchere posted.

According to commentators, most people were familiar with efforts by social networks like Twitter and Facebook to ensure safety within their respective online communities. Only last week, Twitter announced the suspension of an additional 235,000 accounts for promoting terrorism.

While Microsoft had working to prevent terrorist content propagating on its services, its efforts had received less attention than that of its peers, according to commentators. Services like Outlook, Skype, Xbox, OneDrive and Office 365 drew millions of users they were too easily forgotten with the rise of new platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.