Instagram has announced new features designed to restrict hate speech during “sudden spikes” of abuse.
Its new “limits” feature automatically hides comments and messages from people who do not follow – or just started following – users who switch it on.
It was designed to stop abuse from large numbers of people “who simply pile on in the moment”, Instagram said.
The company specifically referenced the racist abuse following the men’s Euro 2020 football final as one example.
In the wake of England’s defeat in a penalty shootout, black players found themselves subjected to a torrent of racist abuse, including on social-media platforms.
The level of abuse prompted calls from the prime minister and others for social networks to do more to prevent it – as well as several subsequent arrests.
