The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership Unveils Framework for Robust Assessments of Digital Services and Products

WASHINGTON — The Digital Trust & Safety Partnership (DTSP) is a first-of-its-kind industry-driven initiative to promote a safer and more trustworthy internet by establishing best practices for digital Trust & Safety. Today, DTSP unveiled the Safe Framework for how the Trust & Safety practices of participating companies will be assessed, bringing the organization closer to its goal of objective and measurable third-party assessments. The Safe Framework establishes rigor and consistency for the assessment processes, which will take place across a diverse set of the participating companies’ products and services. 

DTSP launched earlier this year with a wide range of leading technology companies, representing various products, sizes, and business models. DTSP’s 11 partners include Discord, Google, LinkedIn, Meta Platforms, Inc., Microsoft, Patreon, Pinterest, Reddit, Shopify, Twitter, and Vimeo.

“We’re developing a sustainable framework that will address the urgent needs of today and that can be used to solve the safety challenges of the future. In a world where digital services face unique and constantly evolving risks, there is no single Trust & Safety solution, which is why we’ve developed a model that considers a number of factors to assess company practices,” said DTSP Executive Director David Sullivan. “Having witnessed the collaboration among DTSP members, I’m enthused by our progress and I look forward to sharing more of our learnings in the near future.”

The Safe Framework examines the people, processes, and technology that contribute to managing content- and conduct-related risks for participating companies. Initially, each partner will conduct an internal assessment, which evaluates adherence to the Commitments, documents existing practices, and identifies opportunities to improve them or develop new ones. An objective and measurable third-party assessment will follow. 

The Partnership is seeking input from outside parties on this methodology, and welcomes comments from civil society groups, governments, including policymakers and law enforcement, as well as experts from academia. Feedback should be sent to consultation@dtspartnership.org by February 15, 2022. 

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