LinkedIn has implemented a new safety feature to address sexual harassment on its platform, following an incident involving journalist and author Nishtha Gautam. Gautam recently shared her experience of harassment on LinkedIn, sparking a broader conversation about maintaining professionalism in digital spaces.

LinkedIn responded to the incident by reaffirming its commitment to a harassment-free environment. "People expect their experience on LinkedIn to be professional and free of harassment. Our Professional Community Policies clearly state that harassment, including unwanted romantic advances, is not allowed on the platform," LinkedIn said in a statement.

To tackle such issues, LinkedIn has added an optional advanced safety feature that detects harmful messages. This machine learning tool identifies and hides potentially harmful content, including messages related to sexual harassment. The new feature also simplifies the process of reporting such incidents, allowing LinkedIn’s team to take swift action.

LinkedIn encourages its members to report inappropriate comments or messages to ensure a safe environment for all users.

What Happened to Nishtha Gautam?
 

Nishtha Gautam, a Delhi-based academic and author, recounted her ordeal of ongoing harassment on LinkedIn. It began with a seemingly professional connection request from a man named Tulsi Kumar, which quickly escalated into inappropriate messages. Despite Gautam's efforts to ignore the communications, the harassment intensified, with the individual crossing over to her personal Instagram account.

The incident has raised concerns about the need for stricter controls on online platforms to ensure user safety and maintain professionalism.

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