Twitter updates rules to crack down on stolen nudes and revenge porn

As a part of its efforts to crack down on revenge porn and stolen nudes, the micro blogging site Twitter has updated its terms of service. The networking site whose CEO Dick Costolo had recently admitted that Twitter “suck[s] at dealing with abuse” now bans users from posting intimate photos or videos on their platform, unless they have sought the subject’s consent.

Site users coming across their explicit photos or videos on the platform can now proceed to report them to the company, which will then review and remove the items in question if they are proved to be unauthorized. Users are allowed to appeal if they feel the removal is unwarranted.

The site which has come under flak for letting trolls flood their platform is now stepping up its ante against all forms of abuse. Affirming their commitment to improve the process of reporting abuse, they had rolled out a set of tools in December 2014, using which site users can now report abusive behavior more easily, while also allowing them to keep track of people they have blocked.

Users may not make direct, specific threats of violence against others, including threats against a person or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, or disability. In addition, users may not post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject’s consent. Targeted abuse or harassment is also a violation of the Twitter Rules and Terms of Service.

The updated terms went into effect Wednesday with the site owners making it clear that they would go on to lock user’s accounts and hide content which violated their new policies. The new policy will also help crack down on revenge porn.