Cyberbullying solution? Kelowna company creates innovative technology

KELOWNA, B.C. — It’s hard to imagine a world without online bullying, but a Kelowna tech company has made identifying cyber attacks its primary mission.

“We believe we’re going to change the world,” said Community Sift founder, Chris Priebe.

Community Sift has developed technology to filter through online posts, deciphering and flagging content such as hate speech, racism, bullying and even spam.

“We want to remove bullying from the internet,” said Karen Olsson, Community Sift COO. “That’s our hairy, audacious goal.”

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The technology is being used by 30 companies around the world. The tool has the ability to monitor real-time online commentary and conversations in gaming and other chat rooms. It is then up to the company using the software to decide what is and isn’t deemed appropriate or what contradicts that agencies online guidelines.

Olsson said one of the biggest criticisms the team has faced is people upset that their freedom of speech is being squashed.

“This isn’t about being Orwellian or Big Brother or stopping people from their freedom of speech,” she said. “This is about lifting up freedom of speech. People have the right to be safe and protected and people have the right to say what they want and this is really to create a discourse in a positive manor.”