Facebook Just Released a Crucial New Tool for Fighting Revenge Porn
By Kate Friedman. Photos: Getty Images.
At least 10.4 million people in the U.S. have been victims of revenge porn, according to a 2016 study{: rel=nofollow} by the Data and Society Research Institute. It's no surprise that number has grown with the inescapability of social media, but now Facebook is taking a huge step to putting an end to the revenge porn problem.
If an inappropriate image is shared on the social media site, you'll have the option to report it—whether you're tagged in it or not—and a trained professional will review it and determine if it violates their community standards. If deemed explicit, the image will be removed and the account that shared it could also be disabled. Facebook will then use photo-matching technology to stop the image from spreading across the company's other social media platforms, like Messenger and Instagram, to make sure it doesn't circulate further.
While Facebook is taking an important step in tackling the epidemic of revenge porn, it's pervasiveness is disheartening, as is the fact a major company has to address it head-on. It's never OK for someone to share private photos of you without your consent, and it can be extremely traumatizing if it does happen. Because it understands this new tool won't be an immediate fix, Facebook has partnered with a number of safety organizations to support victims who are suffering emotional damage and distress.
If you've been a victim of revenge porn, you can call 1-800-799-7233 or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline for guidance and resources.
This story originally appeared on Glamour.
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