(Reuters) In a world where terrorist attacks are on the rise, Microsoft on Friday announced new policies aimed at cracking down on what it calls "terrorist content" on some of its consumer services.
In a blog post, the company announced that it would ban all “terrorist content” on some of its services, including Xbox Live, the consumer version of its Outlook email service, and any service that allows consumers to share files.
As for the Bing search engine, Microsoft said it will only remove links when “required by search providers and local law.”
Initially, Microsoft will rely on consumers to report any inappropriate content. The company also announced that it will fund research into a tool that scans content and flags inappropriate images, audio, and video.
“We will consider terrorist content to be material published by or in support of organizations on the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List that graphically depicts violence, encourages violent action, supports terrorist organizations or acts of terrorism, encourages participation in such groups, etc.,” the blog post states.
Of course, all of the above illustrates the difficult position that many businesses face in balancing public safety with the protection of individual rights.
The issue came to the fore after Apple and the US government clashed over whether federal authorities could force Apple to create software that could unlock an iPhone (and more) used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists last year.
"The events of recent months are a powerful reminder that the Internet can be used for the worst reasons imaginable," Microsoft said.
Microsoft also said that users will be able to use an online form to recommend content removal.
“Use this Web form to report content published by or in support of a terrorist organization that graphically depicts violence, encourages violent actions, supports a terrorist organization or its actions, or encourages people to join such groups,” the guidelines state.
View the report form
