Twitter is testing a new feature that lets people send direct messages (DMs) directly from tweets, but it’s not going well for users who feel the new tool will make them more vulnerable to online harassment.
Twitter believes the feature will make it easier to start conversations from your timeline.
“Because when you want to reply directly to the author of a tweet, we’ve made it easier for them to DM them from your timeline to start a conversation,” the microblogging platform said.
“Testing the DM icon on Tweets on iOS with some of you now,” it added.
However, the test has alarmed civil servants and public safety experts.
According to New York City Public Defender Eliza Orlins, giving your DM a shortcut could make users more vulnerable to harassment.
“Please don’t do this. The extra step of having to go to someone’s profile to send a DM reduces harassment,” she responded on Twitter.
When people send unsolicited DMs, it has little to do with “starting a conversation.”
“At least give us a safety feature that doesn’t allow this to happen to our tweets,” she added.
According to Twitter, the experiment will not change the current settings of anyone’s DMs.
“We’re always exploring ways to make DMs more accessible and valuable to people on Twitter, and they’ll always be in control: Anyone can turn off their DMs in their settings,” a Twitter spokesperson told The Verge .
Complete News Source : Business Standard
