No “terrorist content” will now onwards be allowed in Microsoft’s services like Outlook email service, Xbox Live and consumer document-sharing service. The company recently announced its newly framed policies to crack down the terrorist content from its major consumer services.
The official blog post says, “We will consider terrorist content to be material posted by or in support of organizations included on the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List that depicts graphic violence, encourages violent action, endorses a terrorist organization or its acts, or encourages people to join such groups”.
The Internet lately has been used by various terrorist groups to recruit new terrorists and to spread the violence and ferocity. Microsoft is now addressing the issue in two ways-by banning it on their services and by partnering with other companies to tackle the issue in a better way.
Microsoft will remove any content showcasing the hate speech and advocacy of violence against others. Any content which depicts or encourages violence or represents a terrorist group or its activities will not be allowed in Microsoft services.
The company will also be using its online reporting tool to follow its “Notice-and-takedown” process. Any objectionable content noticed or reported will be removed instantaneously.
However, the company won’t be following this plan for its search engine Bing. As per the announcement, Microsoft will remove the objectionable links from Bing only when required. The removal will be based on local lawsuits and consumers’ reports. Company will soon start running a special tool to scan the offensive images, audio and videos.
The company is also investing in new partnerships to tackle the issue better.
Microsoft says, “We are exploring new partnerships with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to display public service announcements with links to positive messaging and alternative narratives for some search queries for terrorist material. We’re hopeful that these upcoming collaborations will help protect troubled individuals from heading down a path toward violence.
Microsoft promises to continue with its efforts to combat terrorism in this way.
