YouTube has announced a “Heroes” program that allows users to moderate the site, giving volunteers exclusive anti-harassment “super tools” whenever they earn a certain amount of points from tasks such as reporting videos.
The tools, which will be available only to those accepted into the YouTube Heroes program, will allow users to mass report groups of videos and contact YouTube staff directly.
“Heroes” will also be expected to add captions to videos and answer support questions, along with an array of various other jobs that will generate points in return for their service.
The program was announced in a video uploaded to YouTube’s Help channel on Tuesday, where it has already received over 4,500 dislikes against just 624 likes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh_1966vaIA
“YouTube Heroes is a global community of contributors who help create the best possible YouTube experience for everyone,” announced YouTube in an accompanying support page. “Heroes flag inappropriate content, add captions and subtitles to videos, and share their knowledge with other users on the YouTube forum, unlocking exclusive benefits along the way.”
The program currently has five levels that users can reach, granting them different abilities and “super tools” in accordance to how many points they have raised. The ability to “learn at exclusive workshops” and take part in hangouts are available at just 10 points. Mass flagging and moderation tools are provided to uses at 100 points, and the ability to test products and apply for the “Heroes Summit” are granted at 1,000 points.
On Monday, it was reported that Jigsaw, a subsidiary company of YouTube’s parent Google, were working on multiple technological projects that would increase censorship and monitoring of users on their services.
“I want to use the best technology we have at our disposal to begin to take on trolling and other nefarious tactics that give hostile voices disproportionate weight,” said the founder of Jigsaw, Jared Cohen. “[We will] do everything we can to level the playing field.”
Users on YouTube are currently able to apply for the company’s Heroes program here.
Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington or like his page at Facebook.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.