Company X, formerly known as Twitter, has unveiled plans to establish a comprehensive content moderation center in Austin, Texas. This strategic move precedes a pivotal January 31 hearing in the US Senate, where X CEO Linda Yaccarino will elaborate on the company’s approach to combatting the dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
A Focus on CSAM and Beyond
Centered on addressing CSAM-related content, the new facility marks Company X’s first significant foray into security and trust since undergoing extensive layoffs post-Elon Musk’s acquisition. The Texas-based center is projected to employ a workforce of one hundred, representing a notable reorganization of moderation efforts initiated by Musk.
Broadened Security Measures
Company X asserts that the restructured security team will not solely concentrate on CSAM but extend its efforts to combatting various content moderation challenges, including countering hate speech. Although specifics regarding the responsibilities and the office’s opening timeline are yet to be disclosed, the company’s blog positions the Austin office as a pivotal component in their comprehensive content moderation strategy, notes NIX Solutions.
Furthermore, Joe Benarroch, X’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted in an interview with Bloomberg that the new center aims to enhance moderation across diverse tasks. From combating spam and fraud to delivering high-quality customer support, the Austin office underscores its versatility within Company X’s overarching security strategy.