Voice Chat Rules
Users should be provided quick access to the rules of voice chat.
How does this mitigate hate?
Having voice chat platform rules displayed upon sign up and throughout the experience helps to facilitate a safer experience and set standards for newly adopted audio social platforms, as well as platforms with various voice chat features. Providing users with easy access to rules may help to encourage safer content and minimize appeals when offenders are banned/removed for harmful conduct.
When to use it?
After sign up, rules should be provided before users have access to voice chat rooms and content.
Rules should be readily in each chat room and banned users prompted to review rules before the ban is lifted.
How does it work?
This pattern should clearly and concisely outline the platform’s rules in a format that includes what violates rules to ensure clarity between moderators and users.
Rules should should include, what happens after violation (warnings to minimize appeals), how many warnings until mute/removal an option for user feedback to improve AI.
Access to the rules should be easy to find and clearly written so that users understand how many times they might break a rule before being kicked off the platform totally.
Advantages
This pattern may promote safer environments through a consistent, accessible format for every user. it can also be periodically reintroduced with a brief how and what the platforms safety standards/ policies are. These features communicate to users that they are considered and protected.
Disadvantages
Rules must be displayed consistently, and cover all potential contexts, if inconsistent users may be mislead or take advantage.
Examples
Spotify Prohibited Content Rules
(Screenshots taken August 2021)
Clubhouse Community Guidelines
(Screenshot taken August 2021)
References
ADL. “The Unique Challenges of Audio Content Moderation Part Two: Static vs. Livestreaming Audio.” Anti-Defamation League, June 30, 2021. https://www.adl.org/blog/the-unique-challenges-of-audio-content-moderation-part-two-static-vs-livestreaming-audio.
Koss, Hal. “Are Content Moderators Ready for Voice-Based Chat Rooms?” Built In, October 27, 2020. https://builtin.com/product/content-moderation-voice-audio-chat.
Vilk, Viktorya, Elodie Vialle, and Matt Bailey. “No Excuse for Abuse: What Social Media Companies Can Do Now to Combat Online Harassment and Empower Users.” Edited by Summer Lopez and Suzanne Nossel. PEN AMERICA. PEN America, March 31, 2021. https://pen.org/report/no-excuse-for-abuse/.