TheCity

Tag: rules

  • Is social media doing enough to combat abusive content?

    Is social media doing enough to combat abusive content?

    By David Stapleton

    Twitter defends response to harmful content, saying it’s “educating” users rather than banning them.

    Twitter has disputed claims it hasn’t done enough to deal with abusive content on its platform after being questioned about racist abuse directed towards a mixed race couple living in Ireland.

    Meath-native Fiona Ryan (33), her fiancé Jonathan Mathis (32) and their 22-month-old son Jonah were victims of a torrent of online abuse via Twitter after appearing in an advertising campaign for supermarket chain Lidl.

    Harmful tweets were removed by Twitter after being reported by Lidl Ieland and other users, but the situation continued to escalate leading to the family leaving Ireland.

    Appearing on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show last Friday, the couple said they made the decision after receiving death threats.

    “The situation continued to escalate leading to the family leaving Ireland”

    Appearing before an Oireachtas committee yesterday, representatives from Twitter, Facebook and Google were questioned by TDs about how they address harmful content on their platforms — the meeting was held as part of a wider discussion to see if there is a need for stricter legislation in this area.

    Referring directly to the Ryan family case, Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers asked if just deleting a tweet was a “weak” response.

    Karen White, Director of Public Policy at Twitter’s EU headquarters in Dublin, said that while she could not comment about specific individuals, she would sympathise with anyone who has experienced targeted abuse or harassment.

    White said that Twitter has robust policies in place with a range of enforcement actions available, and that it had moved towards a system of “educating” abusive users rather than outright banning them.

    “Progress in this area in relation to the type of behaviour that you’re talking about is incredibly tough and I think there is a wider societal issue that needs to be addressed here,” she added.

    Responsibility

    All three of the social media giants present maintained the stance that they are not publishers and it’s up to legislators to decide if there should be stricter regulations put in place.

    “Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers asked if just deleting a tweet was a ‘weak’ response”

    Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy accused the companies of not accepting that they are publishers in an attempt to make more profits and avoid legal action against them.

    Brophy suggested that social media platforms “probably have more impact on the world today than print and broadcast media combined,” yet their current response is to remove the content after the damage is done.

    When asked directly about the Christchurch shooting incident, and artificial intelligence failing to detect the footage as it was filmed, Dualta Ó Broin, head of public policy for Facebook Ireland, said they are “learning everything we can to ensure that won’t ever happen again”.

    He noted that artificial intelligence I is already successfully used by Facebook to detect and delete harmful content related to terrorism and child sexual abuse.

    He acknowledged that Facebook is subject to rules and regulations as it currently stands but suggested that it’s open to stricter regulation and that the Government should tell Facebook where they want them to go further.

  • What not to do on Dublin Bus

    What not to do on Dublin Bus

    As someone who takes the bus into the city every day I have grown to adopt certain habits and mannerisms.  I also notice the habits of other people.  I felt it was the right time to compile a list on what not to do when travelling on Dublin Bus.

    1- Don’t play music out loud.

    If you are going to listen to music, make sure to use these. Image by Khairil Zhafri on flickr
    If you are going to listen to music, make sure to use these. Image by Khairil Zhafri on flickr

    If I wanted to listen to music on the bus, I would have brought my own earphones.  A quiet bus is not an open invitation for you to take out your phone or iPod and start playing your music for the whole bus to hear.  Also, just because you are wearing earphones, doesn’t mean you can listen to your music as loud as you want.  If I can hear your music, through your headphones, and even worse, through my headphones, it’s a sign you need to turn it down.

    2- Don’t be obnoxiously loud on the phone.  

    Is it really necessary to be that loud? Image by Martha Soukup on flickr
    Is it really necessary to be that loud? Image by Martha Soukup on flickr

    By all means, have a conversation or phone-call.  No one will have a problem with that.  The problem arises when everyone else can hear every single word you say in this conversation, no matter where they are sitting.  It’s a bus; not O’Connell Street, you don’t need to project your voice.

    3- Don’t take up a full seat during peak times.

    Image by Mark Hillary on flickr
    Image by Mark Hillary on flickr

    During peak times, passengers are usually heading to or from work or college.  Either way, they are probably tired and not looking for hassle.  The majority just want to find a seat and trudge along quietly.  Don’t be the person with your feet up or with your bag beside you on your seat.  The floor is a perfectly fine place to put them.

    4- If it’s cold out, don’t open a window.

    This is not a sign that the window needs to be opened. Image by Susan Sermoneta on flickr
    This is not a sign that the window needs to be opened. Image by Susan Sermoneta on flickr

    It’s a well-known fact that opening the window on a bus does absolutely nothing to cool you down.  However, the passengers in the rows behind you will know all about it. Sitting on a bus with Baltic winds blowing in your face can turn the most upbeat positive people into cynical grouches.  If it is cold outside, or even worse, raining, leave the windows closed.

    5- Don’t light up a smoke.  

    Everyone is trying to get somewhere. Don't be the one who delays them. Image by DragonLord878 on flickr
    Everyone is trying to get somewhere. Don’t be the one who delays them. Image by DragonLord878 on flickr

    The other passengers don’t care how badly you need it.  Also, don’t try concealing it either.  Firstly, the smell of smoke will give you up straight away, and then, more than likely, the driver will stop the bus until you put it out.  If it’s one thing passengers hate more than sitting in traffic, it’s being delayed by someone on the bus itself.

    6- Try to avoid eating.

    Fight the temptation. Image by _BuBBy_ on flickr
    Fight the temptation.
    Image by _BuBBy_ on flickr

    I know sometimes it can be hard, but for the sake of the other people on the bus, please don’t eat something.  Now, some foods are acceptable, like sandwiches or rolls, but try not to eat something with a strong aroma (we’re looking directly at you Subway lovers).  The smell just fills the bus and makes everyone else jealous, or angry at you.

    7. Observe personal space. 

    Observe the boundaries at all times. Image by Raúl Santos de la Cámara on flickr.
    Observe the boundaries at all times. Image by Raúl Santos de la Cámara on flickr.

    If you sit down beside someone, remember, you’re sitting beside them.  You’re not sitting on their lap. It is a shared seat, a 50:50 split, not 60:40.