How do tech platforms develop clear content policies while balancing user freedom, regulatory requirements, and cultural contexts? What does it take to scale trust and safety efforts for billions of users in a rapidly changing digital landscape? Navigating these challenges requires foresight, transparency, and a deep understanding of user behavior.

In today’s episode of Click to Trust, we are joined by Cathryn Weems, Head of Content Policy at Character.AI, to take on the intricacies of building Trust and Safety policies. Cathryn shares her extensive experience shaping content policies at some of the world’s largest tech platforms, from crafting transparency reports to addressing complex government takedown requests. She offers unique insights into balancing global scalability with localized approaches and why clear, enforceable transparency reports  are key to fostering trust.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. The Art of Content Policy: Cathryn explains the challenges of defining “gray area” content and how tech platforms can develop policies that are clear and enforceable at scale.
2. Transparency in Action: Gain insights into the evolution of transparency reporting and how transparency reports build  trust with users while navigating government regulations.
3. Women in Tech Leadership: Cathryn shares advice for aspiring women leaders in Trust and Safety, including strategies for negotiating compensation and carving a path for yourself in a male-dominated field.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Meet Cathryn Weems
(01:10) The evolution of Trust & Safety as a career path
(05:30) Tackling the complexities of content moderation at scale
(10:15) Crafting content policies for gray areas and new challenges
(14:40) Transparency reporting: Building trust through accountability
(20:05) Addressing government takedown requests and censorship concerns
(25:25) Balancing cultural context and global scalability in policy enforcement
(30:10) The impact of AI on content moderation and policy enforcement
(35:45) Cathryn’s journey as a female leader in Trust & Safety
(40:30) Fostering trust and improving safety on digital platforms

How can Trust and Safety professionals navigate promoting online safety and mitigating real world harms while also  maintaining their own well-being?

In today’s episode of Click to Trust, we are joined by Heather Grunkemeier, Founder of Twinkle LLC and a seasoned Trust and Safety leader, who shares her personal journey through the highs and lows of working in this space. Heather discusses the mental health challenges faced by professionals in Trust and Safety and the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout. Drawing from her own experience, she provides invaluable advice on creating a sustainable work-life balance and the tools that have helped her along the way, including finding support in peers, prioritizing self-care, and asking the right questions in job interviews.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Mental Health in Trust and Safety: Heather discusses how the emotional toll of managing incidents in Trust and Safety can affect mental health and the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout before it’s too late.
2. Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-Care: Discover how creating boundaries within the workplace and permitting yourself to take breaks is essential to long-term success and well-being.
3. Building a Supportive Network: Heather shares how connecting with others in the Trust and Safety community can provide the support needed to handle difficult situations and avoid isolation.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Heather Grunkemeier
(02:00) Heather’s journey into Trust & Safety 
(05:00) Personal burnout: The toll of overachieving in tech
(09:25) The emotional and mental impact of Trust & Safety roles
(12:40) How balance boundaries and protect mental health in T&S
(16:00) The importance of boundary-setting for T&S professionals
(19:30) How companies can better support Trust & Safety teams
(23:45) Heather’s advice for new professionals in Trust & Safety
(28:15) Leading with compassion  in Trust & Safety
(35:10) Heather’s consulting venture and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

How can platforms safeguard vulnerable populations while meeting the needs of service providers? What roles do transparency and continuous education play in building trust and preventing incidents? Ensuring safety in caregiving platforms requires thoughtful strategies that go beyond the basics of vetting and monitoring.

In today’s episode of Click to Trust, we are joined by Jane Yu, Head of Trust and Safety at Papa, to explore the complexities of building trust in caregiving services. Jane shares her experiences developing safety protocols and fostering a community of trust across the gig economy. From revamping background check processes to launching innovative safety features like emergency response features and ID verification, Jane provides a behind-the-scenes look at how safety is upheld for both caregivers and members alike.

Read Papa's Inaugural Transparency Report: https://resources.papa.com/transparency-report-2024

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Managing Dual Vulnerabilities: Jane discusses how platforms protect both caregivers and care recipients in unfamiliar environments, ensuring mutual safety and trust.
• Leveraging Safety Features: The impact of features like emergency response features, identity verification and masked phone numbers in creating secure and reliable interactions.
• The Importance of Transparency and Education: Discover why fostering transparency through safety reports and continuous education is essential for maintaining trust and promoting safety on caregiving platforms.

Jump into the conversation:

• (00:00) Meet Jane Yu
• (01:05) Addressing caregiving gaps and the importance of human connection
• (06:40) The dual vulnerability of members and caregivers on platforms
• (10:55) Key safety features: background checks and emergency response features
• (16:20) The role of transparency and effective reporting mechanisms
• (21:35) Educating users and caregivers to promote safety on and offline
• (26:50) Investigating incidents and taking swift action when necessary
• (31:40) Cross-team collaboration to improve trust and safety outcomes
• (36:10) Leadership involvement and its impact on safety strategies
• (39:05) Final thoughts on enhancing safety on caregiving platforms

Maintaining trust and safety online is a delicate balancing act. 

What responsibility do platforms have to support their content moderators? What does it mean to be an ethical BPO? How can platforms promote user safety both on and offline? 
In today’s episode of Click to Trust, Alice Hunsberger, VP of Trust and Safety at Partner Hero, dives deep into the evolving landscape of ethical content moderation and the often-overlooked challenges faced by content moderators and trust and safety professionals. From her early experiences on dating platforms like OkCupid and Grindr to leading trust and safety at PartnerHero, Alice shares valuable insights on balancing privacy, safety, and user expression on digital platforms. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Importance of Ethical Content Moderation: Alice discusses how treating content moderators fairly and providing them with proper wellness programs and opportunities is key to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
• Balancing Privacy, Safety, and Expression: Trust and safety professionals face tough decisions when trying to safeguard users while also promoting privacy and freedom of expression.
• The Role of Platforms in Supporting BPOs: Discover how platforms can enhance relationships with BPOs by being more proactive and advocating for improved support and communication.

Jump into the conversation:

• (00:00) Introducing Alice Hunsberger
• (01:04) Alice’s background in trust and safety across various platforms
• (06:34) What ethical content moderation looks like in practice
• (09:43) How platforms can support their trust and safety teams better
• (15:20) The unique challenges of moderating dating platforms
• (23:55) Balancing privacy, safety, and freedom of expression on digital platforms
• (36:08) The impact of poorly supported BPOs on trust and safety outcomes
• (42:00) The importance of providing safety options and tooling for users 

Keeping users safe is a complex task for all online platforms. Many try to enact content policies to protect us from harmful content, but are those policies enough? And just how enforceable are they anyway? 

In this episode of Click to Trust, we examine the critical role content policies play in ensuring online safety. And to help us do that, we’ll hear from Sabrina (Pascoe) Puls, TrustLab’s Director of Trust and Safety Policy & Operations. She explains how content policies work behind the scenes to help protect users and platforms by preventing online harms like misinformation, hate speech, and more. Sabrina also reveals the overlooked challenges that come with developing and enforcing these rules.
And throughout the episode, we’ll question whether current safety measures are truly effective or if they unintentionally miss the mark, leaving both users and platforms vulnerable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Lack of Resources is the Biggest Hurdle for Trust and Safety Teams: Early investment not only prevents crises but also reduces long-term costs in PR damage and regulatory fines.
• Transparency in Content Policies is a Double-Edged Sword: Sabrina points out how detailed policies can help users but also give bad actors and fraudsters the information they need to exploit loopholes. 
• Automation in Content Moderation Can’t Replace Human Expertise: Sabrina acknowledges a growing reliance on AI, but highlights that human moderators are essential for handling nuanced, high-risk content areas that machines can’t fully address.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Introduction to Sabrina (Pascoe) Puls
(02:20) Differences Between Content Policies and Community Guidelines
(06:53) Common Pitfalls in Policy Creation
(09:19) Collaboration Between Policy and Engineering
(17:07) Automation vs. Human Moderation
(20:27) Convincing Leadership to Invest in Trust and Safety

Dating apps let users transform virtual interactions into real-world meetings. So, how effectively are these platforms addressing the myriad safety challenges?

In this episode of Double Click, we explore Hinge's latest initiative: Hidden Words. This user-driven moderation tool designed to empower daters by allowing them to filter out specific words, phrases, or emojis from their matches' first messages. But how effective is this new approach when it comes to increasing safety for users?

Benji Loney, TrustLab’s Chief Product Officer, explores the delicate balance between user empowerment and the risks of creating superficial safety measures. Additionally, Sabrina Pascoe, TrustLab’s Director of Customer Success and Vendor Operations, raises critical questions about the design and effectiveness tools like Hidden Words, particularly in terms of their unintended consequences on reporting bad actors.

We’ll also hear from Jeff Dunn, Hinge’s VP of Trust and Safety, who provides a behind-the-scenes peek into the development and implementation of Hidden Words.
 
In this episode, you’ll learn:

• User Adoption is Difficult to Achieve: User adoption of moderation tools like Hidden Words is crucial but often underwhelming.
• Navigating Nuance in Moderation Tools: TrustLabs Director of Customer Success and Vendor Operations, Sabrina Pascoe, highlights the complexity of contextual word usage, posing questions about the fine line between safety and censorship. 
• Real-World Implications— Bridging Online and Offline Safety: Dating apps must balance online safety and real-world meeting risks; Hidden Words aims to preempt negative interactions.

Jump into the conversation:
[00:00] Introducing Hinge’s new feature
[00:58] What exactly is Hinge's Hidden Words feature?
[05:28] How does Hinge’s Hidden Words feature compare with Reddit's Automod Product
[09:31] The trouble with user-controlled moderation tools
[10:30] Hinge’s Jeff Dunn on the development of Hidden Words 

In this first episode of Doubleclick, a Click to Trust mini-series, we delve into the uproar caused among online creators when Adobe's updated terms of service sparked a heated debate. Allegations surfaced that Adobe might use user-generated content to train generative AI, leading to widespread concern about privacy and intellectual property rights. As social media ignited with screenshots and reactions, Adobe responded with clarifications and adjustments to mitigate the fallout.

Host Carmo Braga da Costa navigates through the nuances with expert insights and industry perspectives. From the initial confusion to Adobe's reassurances and subsequent legal challenges, we explore the broader implications for user trust in tech giants and the evolving landscape of digital rights.

Join us as we unpack the complexities of terms of service agreements in the era of AI and consumer privacy, questioning how companies balance innovation with ethical responsibilities. Will Adobe regain the trust of its disillusioned users, or has the damage been irreparably done?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Generative AI and Consumer Privacy: As generative AI becomes more prominent, the need for training data often clashes with consumer privacy and intellectual property rights. 
• Clarity in Terms of Service: Confusing or ambiguous language can lead to mistrust and backlash, as seen in the uproar over Adobe's updates.
• Legal and Ethical Implications: The conversation touches on the legal ramifications, citing Adobe's lawsuit by the FTC over deceptive subscription practices. It’s a reminder that companies must balance technological advancement with ethical considerations and compliance with consumer protection laws.
• Impact of Misinformation and Trust: Despite Adobe’s efforts to clarify their position, the initial damage led to high-profile subscription cancellations. Understanding the dynamics of trust and how to manage crisis communication is key for experts focused on online safety.

  
  Jump into the conversation:
  
  

06:49 Adobe subscription model causes backlash and fear.

07:48 Adobe reassures users over GenAI concerns.

2024 is a busy year for democracy! More countries will hold elections this year that at any point in the next two decades to come. So perhaps more than ever, it’s critical that we take a look at the growing amount of misinformation that threatens to influence or subvert these elections.

In this episode of Click to Trust, we draw our series of episodes about election misinformation to a close with an examination from TrustLab CEO Tom Siegel. From the need for collaboration between platforms to combat misinformation to the impact of algorithmic amplification on the spread of misinformation to the role of AI in both exacerbating and addressing the problem, several key themes have emerged over the last six episodes. As several key elections draw closer, Tom reflects on these themes and informs us on how to stay safe (and vigilant) in our online lives. 

Highlights:

• Takeaway One: What algorithmic amplification means and how misinformation spreads easily online.
• Takeaway Two: The psychology of people online when it comes to heated arguments and content.
• Takeaway Three: The important role that advertisers and governments play in adhering to industry standards of information dissemination.

Jump into the conversation:

[05:37] How echo chambers amplify misinformation. 

[09:11] How AI impacts misinformation.

[12:26] What role do advertisers play in curbing misinformation online?

[21:47] Why media literacy is a crucial safeguard. 

Media Literacy Resources:

• Media Literacy Now: A national organization focused on ensuring media literacy education is included in school curricula. Media Literacy Now
• The News Literacy Project: A nonpartisan national education nonprofit offering programs that help people of all ages learn how to identify credible news and information. The News Literacy Project
• CyberWise: A resource dedicated to helping parents and educators teach digital citizenship and online safety. CyberWise

Understanding AI and Deepfakes:

• Deepfake Detection Guide by MIT Media Lab: An educational guide to understanding and detecting deepfakes. MIT Media Lab Deepfake Detection
• “Deepfakes and the Infocalypse” by Nina Schick: A book that delves into the world of deepfakes and the broader implications of AI-driven misinformation. Amazon Link
• AI For Good – ITU: An initiative by the International Telecommunication Union exploring how AI can be harnessed to advance global sustainability. AI For Good

General Resources on Staying Informed:

• Reuters Fact Check: Provides accurate, unbiased fact-checking to help users understand what is true and what is not. Reuters Fact Check
• AllSides: Shows news coverage from different perspectives to help readers understand bias. AllSides
• Pew Research Center: Offers in-depth research on media, technology, and many other topics to help users stay informed. Pew Research Center

2024 is a busy year for democracy! More countries will hold elections this year that at any point in the next two decades to come. So perhaps more than ever, it’s critical that we take a look at the growing amount of misinformation that threatens to influence or subvert these elections.

In this episode of Click to Trust, TrustLab’s own Xiaolin Zhuo about the European Union’s Code of Practice on Disinformation. The Code of Practice is a first-of-its-kind study that measures the prevalence and sources of misinformation across major social platforms.In our conversation, Xiaolin shared her team’s findings on online misinformation and the impact the Code of Practice can have on slowing down the spread of misinformation online.

Highlights:

• Takeaway One: Combating misinformation requires a joint efforts between governments, social platforms, and civil groups under frameworks like the EU’s Code of Practice.
• Takeaway Two: Platforms with lower discoverability rates of misinformation might still experience high engagement rates on those posts.
• Takeaway Three: Misinformation and the way it is disseminated will continue to change due to technological advancements.

Jump Into the Conversation:

[05:27] TrustLab’s study shows multiple metrics with unexpected platform patterns.

[11:50] Data helps combat misinformation by giving users an understanding of where information is coming from.

16:47 Addressing misinformation in EU requires education and collaboration between platforms and users.

2024 is a busy year for democracy! More countries will hold elections this year that at any point in the next two decades to come. So perhaps more than ever, it’s critical that we take a look at the growing amount of misinformation that threatens to influence or subvert these elections.

In this episode of Click to Trust, we’ll hear from computational sociologist Tom Davidson about how misinformation and social media have changed citizen engagement online. One of the many results is the growth of populist political parties fueled by online spaces where misinformation can run rampant. Tom explains the differences in engagement between populist and non-populist parties on platforms like X and Facebook.

Highlights:

• Takeaway One: The shift from chronological to curated news feeds can radically reshape political landscapes by tipping the scales of engagement.
• Takeaway Two: Populist rhetoric finds a fertile breeding ground on platforms like Facebook, with twice the engagement than on Twitter, and it's pivotal for online safety experts to examine why.
• Takeaway Three: As influencers of online safety, recognizing the importance of a holistic, international approach to platform scrutiny can help mitigate the risks of misinformation and aggressive political tactics.

Jump Into the Conversation:

[06:12] Populists use social media for direct connection.

[08:25] Hate speech and misinformation fuel populist engagement.

[17:28] Facebook is widely used in Europe, but Twitter is used selectively.

[29:17] Populists are targeting big tech and AI tools.