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Twitter's latest attempt to tackle the site's problem with trolls is a 'Quality Filter'.

The tool works in a similar way to its 'tailored notifications' and involves scanning tweets for abusive or offensive words, threats or signs of harassment. 

It will automatically remove these tweets from a user's notification timeline and repeat offenders may be suspended from the site. 

Twitter's 'Quality Filter' will scan tweets for abusive or offensive words and threats. It will automatically remove these tweets from a user's notification timeline and repeat offenders may be suspended from the site. It was spotted by Twitter user Anil Dash (pictured) and is only currently available to verified users

The tool was first spotted by Twitter user Anil Dash who wrote: 'Well, that's an interesting and welcome addition, Twitter! (Was prompted about this on opening the app.)'

Mr Dash is a verified Twitter user, meaning he has a blue tick on his account. 

These blue ticks are to confirm that the accounts of high-profile, influential people and celebrities are real and not parodies, for example. 

A Twitter spokesman said the feature is only currently available for these verified users and did not reveal if it will be rolled out further. 

It is likely due to the fact such celebrities fall victim to more abuse and harassment than regular users, but Twitter did not confirm this. 

From Mr Dash's tweet it appears the filter is opt-in.  

Last week the site took aim at the rising levels of revenge porn and stolen nude photos posted to the social network. Its new rules (pictured) say that users must not 'post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject's consent'. The site said it will verify complaints and suspended abusive users

Reports recently claimed Twitter will start banning trolls and abusive users by tracking email addresses and phone numbers. When people sign up by email they are also given the option to add a phone number (pictured). In the future, Twitter may ban accounts accused of abuse until they provide this number

Twitter already lets people block, report or mute people who are sending them abusive messages. 

Last week the site took aim at the rising levels of revenge porn and stolen nude photos posted to the social network. 

Its rules now say that users must not 'post intimate photos or videos that were taken or distributed without the subject's consent'.

Twitter said an affected user can report a post if they believe it contains photos or videos posted without their consent. 

Under copyright laws the video or photos technically belong to the person who took it and who can, in theory, distribute it as they see fit but Twitter's rules additionally considers the people in the footage. 

It will ask the person reporting the abuse to verify they are the person in the post and that it was posted without their permission. 

Twitter said 'agents will then act on content posted in violation of the policy', including removing the post or suspending the accounts of repeat offenders. 

The changes follow reports Twitter would start banning users who violate its rules by tracking email addresses and phone numbers.

This means that if an offender attempts to sign up for other accounts using these details Twitter will be able to intervene. 

Last month an internal memo sent by Twitter's chief executive Dick Costolo revealed the 51-year-old thinks his site 'sucks at dealing with abuse and trolls'.

In the memo, Mr Costolo said he is embarrassed by the way the company handles abuse and that it must take stronger action in the future.

Mr Costolo's comments were posted on an internal forum among Twitter employees, after one employee raised the question of what more could be done to tackle online abuse.

In December, a blog post titled 'Building a safer Twitter' revealed Twitter is working on ways to make it easier to block and report abuse. 

The site has since improved the reporting process to make it more mobile-friendly, and it now requires less initial information. 

It has also improved the ways in which abuse can be reported to law enforcement.  

Twitter trolls who made rape and death threats appear at court