Science & Tech / NewsScience & Tech / NewsZoom is cracking down on virtual sex parties with artificial intelligenceThe popular video app has become a hub for horny millennials taking part in ‘play parties’ShareLink copied ✔️April 17, 2020April 17, 2020Text Günseli Yalcinkaya Now that we’re a month into lockdown, you’ve probably spent a considerable amount of your social life (read: all) on video messaging platforms. While it’s admittedly a great way to stay connected with friends when you’re most likely cooped up in a cramped London flatshare, or enjoying a second wave of teenage angst at your parents house, it’s also led to some pretty raunchy gatherings: introducing the virtual sex party. According to Rolling Stone, Zoom – the popular teleconferencing app – has become an unlikely gathering place for COVID-19 era millennials wanting to partake in “play parties” (AKA virtual chats where you can jerk off in the company of other socially-distanced people). In short, Zoom’s not happy about it, and it’s using machine learning to identify accounts in violation of its policies, which strictly prohibit “displays of nudity, violence, pornography, sexuality explicit material, or criminal activity”. “We encourage users to report suspected violations of our policies, and we use a mix of tools, including machine learning, to proactively identify accounts that may be in violation,” a spokesperson for Zoom told Rolling Stone. While the platform hasn’t specified what sort of machine-learning tools it’s using, or how the technology alerts the platform to pornographic content, a spokesperson said that it’ll take a “number of actions” against those caught in the act. Meanwhile, rival video platform Houseparty is offering $1 million for info on an alleged smear campaign, which claims users have been getting their accounts hacked and personal information stolen. Basically, the internet’s reverted into the Wild West, and we love it. Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.TrendingTechno-fascist fashion: Why Silicon Valley is moving into menswearPalantir’s new ‘chore coat’ merch is just another way for the spy tech firm to worm its way inside our brains – but why is the tech industry now so obsessed with ‘taste’?FashionReplitLife & CultureWhat Went Down at the inaugural vibeconBumble & BumbleBeauty‘Texture is documentary’: Matt Benns on 25 years of Surf SprayBeauty10 of the hottest Instagram accounts fusing art, sex and erotica Nike Life & CultureWhat went down at Nike’s mysterious Desire PathDazed LeagueA brief history of Nike’s radical soccer DNABeautyNude awakening: Meet the young people embracing naturismArt & PhotographyTyrell Hampton’s photos capture the freedom and fantasy of NYC nightsFilm & TV7 films to watch if you loved Obsession Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy