Yahoo takes steps to remove content posted from ISIS and other terrorist groups

Yahoo wants to ensure its users that its products and services will not be safe havens for terrorist groups. The company has updated its community guidelines to specifically state that it will remove content and “potentially” deactivate accounts that “support or celebrate” terrorist organizations, their leaders, or associated violent activities.

The updated guidelines puts Yahoo in line with other technology companies putting forth efforts to thwart the ability of terrorist groups such as ISIS to spread their message, especially in the wake of attacks in an Orlando gay nightclub and in San Bernardino, California. Twitter has responded as well, “suspending over 125,000 accounts” related to terrorism. Messaging app Telegram has also blocked 78 channels that engaged in ISIS-related activity.

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Kathleen Lefstad, Yahoo’s policy manager for trust and safety, wrote that this new category is in addition to other types of content that are flagged, including hate speech, bullying or harassment, and sharing adult or sexualized content of someone without their consent.

“We’re proud to have grown a community of more than one billion people around the world with diverse beliefs, opinions and backgrounds, and we’re committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect,” she wrote.