A new update coming to Instagram will allow users to turn the comments section under each of their posts off completely, continuing the app's anti-harrassment toolset it began introducing with a keyword moderation update in September.
Users will simply have to tap "Advanced Settings" when crafting a post and select "Turn Off Commenting," so no followers or strangers can write a comment underneath it.
Comments can be turned back on later, however, in the ellipsis menu found below a post. In the previous update, users gained the ability to filter comments out that contained specific keywords chosen to be harmful or negative by each Instagram member. Instagram said that the new comments section removal option, along with keyword filtering, are important steps in "giving you more control over your comments experience."
Liking comments is also coming soon, so users will be able to tap a heart icon next to anyone's comment to "show support" and positivity on a post. Private accounts are gaining a new feature as well, with the ability to remove followers on a case-by-case basis, without needing to completely block them. Instagram is even introducing a new system that lets users report cases of potential self-harm to the company, where a team reviews the reports and connects the individual in question to helpful organizations.
Finally, we want to continue to be a place where people can share deeply personal moments. From time to time, you may see friends struggling and in need of support. If you believe that someone you care about may be thinking about injuring themselves, you can report it anonymously, and we will connect your friend to organizations that offer help. We have teams working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, around the world to review these reports.
The company didn't make it clear when the updates would begin hitting its iOS and Android apps, but said a few of the features -- including comment liking -- will begin rolling out "in the coming weeks." Instagram is available on the iOS App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Top Rated Comments
That thinking is ridiculous. What's wrong with putting safeguards in place to enable everyone to enjoy these sites without fear of harassment? Why in the world should we accept the the internet has those which wish to harass others and not do a thing to change it? Would you have suggested we just leave slavery as the thing because that's simply the way it is, rather than looking to change the world for the better?
[doublepost=1481043478][/doublepost]All Facebook and Instagram features are pushed out rather than a product of simply downloading an updated app.
Their weekly/bi-montly app updates all have the functionality to allow new features but Facebook doesn't enable them for everyone at once. When you have a network of more than 1 billion users, you don't simply want to flip the switch and hope things work.
Instead, they roll them out slowly to certain areas of the country or user types, etc. This allows them to make sure features are working as they should before turning them on for everyone.
So yes, you may have had access to this and other features before they officially announce the rollout.
I don't get the notion that we as a society and companies that provides services should just act like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and let it carry on. On the contrary, we should strive for everyone to feel welcome and not let it fall back to some law of the jungle, survival of the strongest etc.
Complaining that this is censorship is like claiming that being kicked out of someone's home after you behaved like a pig during dinner is censorship. The government cannot impede your right to speak your mind, but everyone else can and it's not in the least bit illegal. In fact trying to pull the free speech card doesn't really work here since harassment isn't really protected by free speech, just like death threats and libel aren't. Go do something more useful with your life than protesting your right to be an ******.
What you consider "censorship" is called civility by normal people who weren't raised in a barn. If it were socially acceptable to run your mouth off and insult whomever you feel like because "free speech!!!11", we would be in a constant state of war. Words have meaning, that's why we humans use them to communicate thoughts and feelings. Telling people to stop being affected by words when words are by design meant to have an impact on the person they're spoken to is quite frankly, a bit stupid.
But of course in a world where a professional Twitter troll can become president, the very notion that acting like a jerk is some inherent right that should be tolerated is likely to become the new norm.