Kelowna online security company acquired by Microsoft

Technology giant Microsoft has acquired a Kelowna online security company that is helping moderate Xbox gaming experiences.

Microsoft announced the acquisition of Two Hat Security, a content moderation and online security company today, Oct. 29.

“Globally, growing amounts of harmful content shared online have increased the need for effective and proactive content moderation. For any online community to thrive, content moderation is a critical investment to ensure positive user experiences and maintain engagement over time. Microsoft and Two Hat share a vision for using advancements in moderation technology to nurture and protect diverse, global online communities,” the announcement by Microsoft reads.

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Microsoft noted Two Hat will continue serving existing customers, its prospective customers as well as providing its multiple product and services.

For the past few years, Microsoft and Two Hat have worked together to implement proactive moderation technology into gaming and non-gaming experiences to detect and remove harmful content before it reaches community members. Two Hat's technology has helped to make global communities in Xbox, Minecraft and MSN safer for users, Microsoft said.

“We understand the complex challenges organizations face today when striving to effectively moderate online communities. In our ever-changing digital world, there is an urgent need for moderation solutions that can manage online content in an effective and scalable way. With this acquisition, we will help global online communities to be safer and inclusive for everyone to participate, positively contribute and thrive,” the Microsoft announcement reads.

Two Hat was formed in 2012, and was inspired to action by the story of Amanda Todd, a teenager who killed herself after being bullied online, according to a statement from Two Hat founder Chris Priebe and CEO Steve Parkis.

“This is just the beginning. Thank you to everyone who has believed in us, supported us, driven us, and inspired us. We’re thrilled and excited to begin this next chapter and continue to make the world a better place – one person to person online interaction at a time,” they said in the statement.

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