Facebook is testing three new features that should help prevent or at least minimize harassment of users on its platform.
The first will alert users if someone tries to impersonate them on the social network by using the same name and profile photo they are using.
The alerts go out automatically, and users will be able to review the matter and say whether they believe the profile in question is impersonating them or not. Then, the Facebook team will review each of these cases manually.
Facebookâs Head of Global Safety Antigone Davis
told Mashable that the feature is already live about 75% of the world, and will soon be rolled out completely. Online impersonation of users can and is often used by malicious individuals as a harassing tool.
Report photos
The second feature will make it easier for victims of nonconsensual intimate image sharing, which has been prohibited by Facebook since 2012, to report the photos and to identify themselves in them. When victims choose to do that, they will be provided links to helpful outside resources such as support groups for victims of abuse or information about legal options they might take advantage of. Of course, the reporting also triggers a review of the photo.
