Microsoft acquires Two Hat, a moderation firm that helps hold Xbox clear

Microsoft has acquired Two Hat, a content material moderation supplier that’s helped hold dangerous content material off Xbox. Founded almost 10 years in the past by a former Disney Interactive safety specialist, Two Hat makes use of AI to categorise and filter billions of human interactions throughout messages, photographs, usernames, movies, and extra. Microsoft has been working with Two Hat for the previous few years to enhance its Xbox communities, however the phrases of the deal weren’t disclosed.

“For the past few years, Microsoft and Two Hat have worked together to implement proactive moderation technology into gaming and non-gaming experiences to detect and remove harmful content before it ever reaches members of our communities,” explains Dave McCarthy, head of Xbox product companies. “Two Hat’s technology has helped to make global communities in Xbox, Minecraft and MSN safer for users.”

The acquisition is designed to enhance Microsoft’s first-party content material moderation in gaming, and even prolong to the corporate’s shopper companies. Microsoft has massive plans for shopper companies, after hiring a former Uber exec to steer a brand new shopper apps effort earlier this 12 months.

Microsoft has been making an attempt to amass common communities lately, together with TikTok, Pinterest, and Discord. CEO Satya Nadella has expressed an curiosity in Microsoft specializing in creators and communities, and moderation performs a important half in any on-line community-based service.

Two Hat additionally has quite a few its personal clients, and Microsoft isn’t planning to cease supporting them. “This is a deep investment in assisting and serving Two Hat’s existing customers, prospective new customers and multiple product and service experiences here at Microsoft,” says McCarthy. “With this acquisition, we will help global online communities to be safer and inclusive for everyone to participate, positively contribute and thrive.”

Microsoft launched quite a few text-based filters for its Xbox community three years in the past, after Xbox chief Phil Spencer outlined a plan for combating toxicity in gaming. Two Hat has been aiding with a few of these Xbox moderation efforts, and Microsoft additionally has a wider purpose of having the ability to filter out Xbox Live social gathering classes sooner or later so stay audio calls may be filtered with real-time bleeps just like broadcast TV.