Nextdoor.com Inc., the neighborhood social networking app, is discontinuing a feature that allowed users to forward their posts directly to local police departments, the company announced late Thursday. The move comes as Nextdoor faces scrutiny over its role as a platform for racial profiling, its increasingly cozy partnerships with law enforcement, and after reports that some of its community moderators were removing posts that mentioned Black Lives Matter. But the company is retaining other features that facilitate communication with police through the app, including one that allows direct messages to law enforcement.
“As part of our anti-racism work and our efforts to make Nextdoor a place where all neighbors feel welcome, we have been examining all aspects of our product,” the post read. “After speaking with members and public agency partners, it is clear that the Forward to Police feature does not meet the needs of our members and only a small percentage of law enforcement agencies chose to use the tool.”
