"Trust and Safety" departments exist to protect the company, not users. (open.substack.com)
from JustinHanagan@kbin.social to technology@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 04:13
https://kbin.social/m/technology@lemmy.world/t/723689

#technology

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b3an@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 04:24 next collapse

Why users are always the ones screwed?

fubo@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 04:45 next collapse

A “user” is anyone who walks through the public park and picks up a gadget that someone else left there.

They poke at it for a while, not knowing who built it or who dropped it in the park. It does some cool stuff.

Sometimes they can wiggle it and it makes colors that their friends enjoy. Maybe someone built this thing just to be a fun toy to play with?

They put it in their pants pocket and walk on.

Once in a while, the thing they picked up in the park just spontaneously catches fire and burns their pants off, leaving them naked in the middle of the town square and really embarrassed.

But usually, a “user” can mess around with technology crap and not get burned.

Until, y’know, they do.

And then it’s supposed to be their fault.


Hey, thing-builders: If the thing you built hurts people, you should fix that. “They picked it up, it’s okay if it burns their pants off” is not a good excuse.

Sorgan71@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 17:47 collapse

I think its morally acceptable to make products designed to hurt the user and other people.

Uranium3006@kbin.social on 25 Dec 2023 05:43 collapse

"Useds" is a more appropriate term

crystalmerchant@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 04:47 next collapse

Trust and Safety? Is this the new buzzword for HR, a la People Empowerment?

fubo@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 05:10 next collapse

No, it’s more like “policy enforcement”.

Ostensibly it means “if our policy forbids Nazis, then you can trust us that there won’t be Nazis engaging with your content on our site.”

But really, the policy doesn’t forbid Nazis.

JustinHanagan@kbin.social on 25 Dec 2023 13:04 collapse

Exactly, well said.

FaceDeer@kbin.social on 25 Dec 2023 05:05 next collapse

At my previous company the department went through various names over the years, ending up as "People Experience" when we parted ways.

I think Trust and Safety would probably be for an analogous department focused on the users, not the employees.

WheelcharArtist@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 12:06 next collapse

That would be people & culture

Munkisquisher@lemmy.nz on 25 Dec 2023 19:16 collapse

I’ve seen them use Tallent and Culture unironically. Yes and also shorten it to T&C

alphacyberranger@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 05:14 next collapse

This is the same as “HR cares about the company, not the employees”

JustinHanagan@kbin.social on 25 Dec 2023 12:20 collapse

Exactly. FTA:

"Trust and safety” departments are kinda like “Human Resources” departments. They exist to help the company avoid expensive lawsuits and expensive PR blunders. These departments, I assume, are comprised of good-hearted people who care deeply about their work and the well being of others. But they are fighting a battle that the companies do not actually want to end.

boatswain@infosec.pub on 26 Dec 2023 08:47 collapse

FYI “comprised of” is not a thing; you mean “composed of”. The correct way to use “comprise,” if you’re interested, is like “the United States comprises fifty states”. Technically you should mention DC and the various US territories etc as well, since comprise should indicate all of the parts.

ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 25 Dec 2023 11:24 next collapse

It’s hard to think the author’s concern is too genuine given that they’re publishing on Substack

JustinHanagan@kbin.social on 25 Dec 2023 13:02 collapse

When I switched to Substack it was just a Mailchimp alternative (I don't think Mailchimp moderates what they send out either). They were a service, not a platform. But since then Substack has added a lot of social elements. And now that I've been made aware of their stance, I'm planning my exit ASAP.

ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 25 Dec 2023 16:03 collapse

Sure, but that doesn’t let you off the hook for using them. You’re on a site that empowers people who want people like me dead. It’s hard to think you’re too concerned about my rights as a worker, when you’re not terribly interesting in defending my human rights

MellowSnow@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 22:11 next collapse

OP literally said they’re gonna stop using it, “now that they’ve been made aware of their stance.” Wtf more do you want? You want people to be omniscient? To know something before they know it? I don’t understand how you’re holding someone accountable for a lack of knowledge. That’s asinine.

ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 25 Dec 2023 23:19 collapse

I’m not sure whether I missed that or it was edited, but either way, I didn’t see it when I posted.

Mea culpa if I missed it

MellowSnow@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 23:44 collapse

Ahh, that makes a lot more sense.

CrayonRosary@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 22:18 next collapse

So you not understand what “I’m planning my exit ASAP” means?

rush@lemm.ee on 26 Dec 2023 01:51 collapse

We shouldn’t judge people for past decisons when new info comes out, especially when that new info makes them change. It will take some time for people to move and find a viable alternative.

I do not intend this to be an attack of any kind, please be more considerate of the fact that changes can’t be made instantly when you have an audience to move.

multicolorKnight@lemmy.world on 25 Dec 2023 14:36 next collapse

Everything in a corporation exists to benefit the corporation.

snail_hatan@lemmy.ml on 25 Dec 2023 19:04 collapse

Down voted because substack enables nazis.

isVeryLoud@lemmy.ca on 27 Dec 2023 15:13 collapse

Good lad/die, fuck substack