Link: Scientists develop algorithm that can auto-ban internet trolls

Aledinho · Apr 23, 2015

Many of the study’s findings could have been anticipated by anyone who has ever had a comment thread hijacked by an interloper who seems more intent on causing disruption and friction than participating in a reasonable discussion. For example over the 10,000 FBUs studied, nearly all began their commenting life at a lower perceived standard of literacy and/or clarity than the median for their host groups, with even that standard dropping in the final stretch towards a moderator ban. Additionally those last pre-ban troll posts tend to home in on a smaller number of comment threads relative to the number of posts – the classic characteristic of digging in for a sustained flaming match either with the host community or one or more members of it who have decided to engage the troll.

Regarding the possibility of developing automated methods for identifying and even banning trolls, the researchers are circumspect, since 1 in 5 of users were misclassified by their analysis system, which otherwise claims to spot a persistent comment pest within as few as ten posts. “While we present effective mechanisms for identifying and potentially weeding antisocial users out of a community, taking extreme action against small infractions can ex- acerbate antisocial behavior (e.g., unfairness can cause users to write worse), “

FBU = Future Banned User

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Link: Scientists develop algorithm that can auto-ban internet trolls

Aledinho

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