The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Announces David M. Sullivan As Executive Director

WASHINGTON — The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet, announced today that David M. Sullivan has been hired to serve as Executive Director. Having previously served as Program Director at the Global Network Initiative, a multi-stakeholder forum working to help technology companies protect and advance freedom of expression and privacy, David brings with him extensive experience working with digital services to address online harms while also respecting human rights.

“With the serious consequences of the misuse of digital services in the global spotlight, it has never been more important for companies to come together to improve consumer trust and safety online. By working together, companies can ensure the internet remains an enabler of innovation, activism, entrepreneurship, and expression,” said Sullivan. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with our members to develop best practices and build global understanding among industry, governments, civil society, and the public about rights-respecting ways to curb harmful digital behavior.”

During nearly a decade at GNI, David played a key role growing and globalizing the initiative’s membership, implementing its unique assessment process, and advocating with policymakers for rights-based approaches to issues such as responding to terrorist and extremist content and fighting against Internet shutdowns. He previously led the research and policy team at the Center for American Progress’ Enough Project and worked for international NGOs providing democracy development and humanitarian aid. He holds a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.

The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership is committed to developing industry best practices, reviewed through internal and independent third-party assessments, to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services. Founding members include Discord, Facebook, Inc., Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo, with LinkedIn and Patreon joining since the launch.

The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership will co-host a virtual event on the future of online trust and safety with the Trust and Safety Professional Association (TSPA) on September 9. RSVP here to attend. 

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The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Welcomes LinkedIn

WASHINGTON — The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet, today welcomed LinkedIn as its newest partner.

LinkedIn’s addition highlights the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership’s growing list of participating companies, which now counts 11 leading technology companies. Earlier this year, the Partnership launched after it brought together a diverse range of innovative digital companies, representing various products, sizes and business models. DTSP’s other partners include Discord, Facebook Inc., Google, Microsoft, Patreon, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.  

The Partnership is committed to developing industry best practices, reviewed through internal and independent third-party assessments, to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services.

As part of its formal launch in February, the Partnership released a set of five key commitments agreed upon by the participating companies to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services. Also known as the “Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Best Practices Framework,” the partnership regards the following to be industry best practices: 

Commitment 1: Identify, evaluate, and adjust for content- and conduct-related risks in product development.

Commitment 2: Adopt explainable processes for product governance, including which team is responsible for creating rules, and how rules are evolved.

Commitment 3: Conduct enforcement operations to implement product governance.

Commitment 4: Assess and improve processes associated with content- and conduct-related risks.

Commitment 5: Ensure that relevant trust & safety policies are published to the public, and report periodically to the public and other stakeholders regarding actions taken.

For more information please visit dtspqa.wpengine.com. Members of the press can contact the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership at press@dtspartnership.org.

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The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership is a first-of-its kind initiative focused on promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet. The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership includes Discord, Facebook, Inc., Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Patreon, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo. 

The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Welcomes Patreon

WASHINGTON – The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet, today welcomed Patreon as its newest partner.

Patreon’s entrance highlights the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership’s growing list of participating companies, which now counts 10 leading technology companies. Earlier this year, the Partnership launched after it brought together a diverse range of innovative digital  companies, representing various products, sizes and business models. DTSP’s other partners include Discord, Facebook, Inc., Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.  

The Partnership is committed to developing industry best practices, reviewed through internal and independent third-party assessments, to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services.

As part of its formal launch in February, the Partnership released a set of five key commitments agreed upon by the participating companies to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services. Also known as the “Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Best Practices Framework,” the partnership regards the following to be industry best practices: 

Commitment 1: Identify, evaluate, and adjust for content- and conduct-related risks in product development.

Commitment 2: Adopt explainable processes for product governance, including which team is responsible for creating rules, and how rules are evolved.

Commitment 3: Conduct enforcement operations to implement product governance.

Commitment 4: Assess and improve processes associated with content- and conduct-related risks.

Commitment 5: Ensure that relevant trust & safety policies are published to the public, and report periodically to the public and other stakeholders regarding actions taken.

For more information please visit dtspqa.wpengine.com. Members of the press can contact the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership at press@dtspartnership.org.

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The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership is a first-of-its kind initiative focused on promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet. The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership includes Discord, Facebook, Inc., Google, Microsoft, Patreon, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.

Leading Technology Companies Launch Initiative to Promote a Safer and More Trustworthy Internet

The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership will Develop Best Practices for Online Trust and Safety

WASHINGTON — Today leading technology companies formally launched the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet. 

The Partnership is committed to developing industry best practices, reviewed through internal and independent third-party assessments, to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services. Bringing together a diverse range of the most innovative technology companies of different sizes and business models, the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership includes Discord, Facebook, Inc, Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.

“Trust and safety is a critical function at many of the world’s leading digital services companies. These are the people who spend their days working to keep consumers safe from abuse. The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership was formed to advance the best practices and assessments needed to support this emerging field,” said Alex Feerst, an advisor to the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership. “This is the beginning of a process, and we look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to foster greater transparency.”

As part of its launch, the Partnership is releasing a set of five key commitments agreed upon by the participating companies to ensure consumer safety and trust when using digital services. Also known as the “Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Best Practices Framework,” the partnership regards the following to be industry best practices: 

Commitment 1: Identify, evaluate, and adjust for content- and conduct-related risks in product development.

Commitment 2: Adopt explainable processes for product governance, including which team is responsible for creating rules, and how rules are evolved.

Commitment 3: Conduct enforcement operations to implement product governance.

Commitment 4: Assess and improve processes associated with content- and conduct-related risks.

Commitment 5: Ensure that relevant trust & safety policies are published to the public, and report periodically to the public and other stakeholders regarding actions taken.

Each company will perform a review of its trust and safety practices before the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership shares a state of the industry report this year, which will evaluate companies’ implementation of the practices. This effort is not directed toward individual company policies or decisions, but focuses on how to perform and assess trust and safety as an evolving field. The Partnership will engage with consumer/user advocates, policymakers, law enforcement, relevant NGOs and various industry-wide experts to help further develop these best practices.

For more information please visit dtspqa.wpengine.com. Members of the press can contact the Digital Trust & Safety Partnership at press@dtspartnership.org. 

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The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership is a first-of-its kind initiative focused on promoting a safer and more trustworthy internet. The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership includes Discord, Facebook, Inc., Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.