Alphabet-owned Company Launches Chrome Extension Against Toxic Comments

Even with social media companies investing incredible sums in content moderation teams, hate speech, toxic comments and fake news still proliferate on the platforms.

Now, an Alphabet-owned company, Jigsaw, is entering the arena with an interesting solution.

Tune is an open-source Chrome extension powered by AI that promises to turn down the volume on trolls and bots.

Using “filter mix” controls that use machine-learning to spot abusive words and phrases, you will be able to sort comments on most major platforms, from YouTube to Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and Disqus.

In “zen mode” you will be able to close off comments entirely, a feature already provided by a host of other extensions for each platform in particular. “Or you can set the volume somewhere in between to customize the level of toxicity (e.g. attacks, insults, profanity, etc) you’re willing to see in comments,” say the developers about the other options.

They also stress the fact that the machine learning behind Tune is experimental and the algorithms need to be improved.

Of course, the tool also cannot handle direct harassment, which is an issue that plagues most social platforms, but it’s a great start for a friendlier Web.

You can find the extension here, if you want to take it for a spin.

Also read: ✍Watch: Jordan Peele Becomes Obama With Machine Learning Tools✍