The Stack Overflow Podcast Defending the realm: Trust and safety at Stack Overflow
Jun 20, 2025
Cesar M is the Manager of Trust and Safety and Community Support teams at Stack Overflow, while Bella Blue leads the Trust and Safety team, focusing on operations and project management. They dive into the importance of user trust and maintaining community safety through dedicated teams. The podcast touches on navigating sensitive issues, such as balancing free speech with community guidelines, and the emotional challenges in keeping the online environment secure. They also celebrate contributions from community members, highlighting engagement and recognition.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Purpose of Trust and Safety
- Trust and Safety at Stack Overflow focuses on ensuring information security, integrity, and confiability on the platform.
- It safeguards users from harmful content, manipulation, and malicious actors to maintain a trustworthy community.
Specialized Role of Trust Safety
- Trust and Safety is a specialized function distinct from general community management.
- It addresses difficult content and situations that most community managers are not trained or expected to handle.
People-Centric Trust Disability
- Trust and Safety focuses on people safety rather than just system security like InfoSec.
- The team uses a 'trust and safety brain' to envision potential problems proactively, ensuring community safety and positive experiences.