Platform X Builds Security Center In Austin To Fight Child Abuse Content

Platform X has suspended 12.4 million accounts last year (photo: dock. @engadget ·)

JAKARTA - Social media company X is in the process of recruiting 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas that will focus on fighting child abuse content, a goal that is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to executive X on Saturday, January 27.

The company owned by Elon Musk announced the new "Center of Trust and Security excellence" ahead of the US Senate hearing on January 31 regarding child sexual exploitation online. Chief Executive X, Linda Yaccarino, is scheduled to testify, along with Meta Platforms, Snap, TikTok, and Discord CEOs.

"The team is under construction," said Joe Benarroch, head of business operations X, referring to Austin's office. He added that the goal of filling the position by the end of the year depends on finding the right talent.

Since Musk acquired the company formerly known as Twitter in 2022, the billionaire has been criticized for his own controversial posts and attempts to change the platform's content moderation policies.

In a blog post on Friday, January 26, X said that they suspended 12.4 million accounts last year for violating their rules against child sexual exploitation, which he said increased from 2.3 million account suspensions by 2022.

The new center in Austin will also help companies fight other types of harmful content, sources on X said.