Article content continued

“We will consider terrorist content to be material posted by or in support of organizations included on the Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List that depicts graphic violence, encourages violent action, endorses a terrorist organization or its acts, or encourages people to join such groups,” the blog post said.

The steps illustrate the tough predicament many companies face balancing public safety with individual rights.

The issue came to the fore after Apple Inc. and the U.S. government clashed over whether federal authorities could force Apple to create software to unlock a phone used by a shooter in the San Bernardino attacks last year.

Ultimately, the government paid a third party to unlock the phone.

“The events of the past few months are a strong reminder that the Internet can be used for the worst reasons imaginable,” Microsoft said in its post.

Microsoft said users can use an online form to recommend removal of content.

“Use this Web form to report content posted by or in support of a terrorist organization that depicts graphic violence, encourages violent action, endorses a terrorist organization or its acts, or encourages people to join such groups,” the instructions read.

Microsoft said it would provide information on how to counter negative content, a policy adopted by another technology giant: Facebook Inc.

The social-media service this year announced a tool it calls “counter speech,” encouraging activists to counter extremist views with posts promoting tolerance. Last year, Facebook updated its guidelines to prohibit advocacy of “terrorist activity, organized criminal activity or promoting hate.”

Social media site Twitter Inc suspended 125,000 accounts, most of which it believed were linked to the militant Islamic State group.

© Thomson Reuters 2016