The social media giant, Twitter, has taken an official stand against cyber harassment. They have updated a number of their policies to specifically prohibit the posting of revenge porn. The news was first reported by Buzzfeed on Wednesday.

 

One of the updated Twitter policies was the one regarding private information. The original policy read: “You may not publish or post other people’s private and confidential information, such as credit card numbers, street address or Social Security/National Identity numbers, without their express authorization and permission.” The new update now includes: “You may not post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject’s consent.”

 

Twitter also made edits to its behavior policy regarding threats and abuse. The original policy read: “Users may not make direct, specific threats of violence against others, including threats against a person or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, or disability.” Twitter officials added the following update to include: “In addition, users may not post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject’s consent.” Twitter Terms and Service also state that targeted abuse or harassment are a violation.

 

The changes are effective as of Wednesday and any Twitter account in violation of any policy will be locked and reported content will be hidden. Twitter has taken cyber bullying very seriously in recent months. CEO Dick Costolo sent a memo to his employees, stressing the importance of “an inadequate response to the chronic abuse and harassment that occurs daily on the social network.”