‘Transcom Chats’ is a series of interviews with Transcom staff on things and topics we’re passionate about. The aim is to bring forward, talk to, and highlight the people that make Transcom the brand you know and love.
Introduction.
With Trust and Safety fast becoming one of the most important aspects of any modern business, we thought it important to talk to our leading people in the area. Today, we’re joined by Iulian Bacain, our VP of Trust and Safety Growth.
Interview.
Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do at Transcom.
I’m Iulian, VP of Trust and Safety Growth at Transcom. In my role, I oversee outsourced Trust and Safety solutions design to create safer online environments through content moderation, enhancing user experiences with personalized and relevant advertising, and developing custom large language models (LLMs) to stay at the forefront of technology.
Why is trust and safety an important topic to you personally?
Trust and Safety operations are fundamental to fostering inclusive, supportive communities where individuals of all ages, especially vulnerable groups like children, can interact safely. Personally, it's crucial to contribute to a digital ecosystem that prioritizes the well-being of its users, promoting a space where everyone, irrespective of age, can learn, engage, and connect without the fear of encountering harmful content. It’s a matter of personal values; creating a secure online space is as much a personal mission as a professional one.
Why is trust and safety an important topic to Transcom?
Trust and Safety are foundational elements that support the integrity of digital platforms and build user trust. These practices are vital for our clients' growth and success, directly impacting user retention and satisfaction. Our efforts in this area are crucial for maintaining a reputable and secure online presence for the brands we serve.
How does content moderation play into it?
Content moderation is the cornerstone of Trust and Safety, acting as a filter to maintain the digital environment's health by removing harmful content and ensuring compliance with platform standards and regulations. It's a dynamic and essential process to safeguard the user experience
In your opinion, what are the main challenges when it comes to content moderation?
The main challenges include scaling content moderation efforts to manage the sheer volume of user-generated content, cultural understanding, adapting to the evolving nature of online threats, navigating regulatory landscapes, and maintaining a delicate balance between safeguarding users and upholding freedom of expression. Furthermore, protecting the well-being of content moderators from the psychological impacts of exposure to harmful content is a significant concern.
Seeing as moderators are the cornerstone of content moderation, what do we do to prepare them for the specifics of the job?
Our approach integrates a comprehensive wellness framework starting from recruitment, emphasizing mental resilience. We support our staff with a nurturing environment that includes both proactive and reactive wellness measures. Tools for mood monitoring, wellness programs, and access to professional mental health support are some of the ways we prepare and sustain our moderators for their critical role.
The impact of personalization on subscriber retention.
Have you ever found yourself hovering over a "cancel subscription" button only to be met with a personalized offer that suddenly makes staying feel like the smarter choice? Or how about a pity-seeking pop-up that only reinforces your desire to get out? In an era where consumers’ choices are limitless and a subscription can be ended with a single tap, the margin for error is razor thin.
The brands that understand this moment and what drives it are the ones building durable subscriber relationshi
Why do you feel wellness and wellbeing are so important?
Given the nature of their work, moderators are routinely exposed to distressing content, making their mental health and overall well-being paramount. It's essential to provide them with the necessary support to navigate these challenges, ensuring they remain effective in their roles while also safeguarding their psychological health.
What does Transcom do in that regard?
We offer a holistic support system that includes 24/7 access to certified psychological support, comprehensive wellness programs, counseling services and training in resilience.We've designed our work environment to include proactive and reactive support measures, empowering staff to manage their well-being with tools and facilities tailored to their needs. This includes relaxation rooms and games areas, which offer various ways for staff to decompress. Daily pulse checks are conducted using tools like T:Buddy to monitor moods, with the results reviewed at all levels of the business, ensuring a pervasive culture of well-being.
Being a tech-forward company, does AI help with content moderation?
Yes, artificial intelligence plays a critical role in streamlining content moderation by automating the detection and flagging of harmful content. AI technologies complement human moderators, enhancing efficiency and accuracy across our operations.
Any parting words?
The collaboration between technological advancements and human expertise is fundamental in advancing Trust and Safety efforts. At Transcom, we are committed to leveraging this synergy to create secure digital spaces, supporting the well-being of our teams, and ensuring that digital platforms remain safe and welcoming for all users
What the toughest year in Medicare Advantage has taught us about cutting costs.
When a Medicare Advantage member hangs up the phone in frustration, what does that abandoned call actually cost the plan? The true financial penalty doesn’t just come from wasted handling time on a dashboard. It's the formal grievance filed days later, the plummeting CAHPS score, and the decision to switch plans during the next Annual Enrollment Period. Ironically, these downstream costs stem from a gap between “operational efficiency” and “member experience” generated by the very aggressive cos
Made in America, used elsewhere: who's really putting AI to work?
While the world buzzes about the transformative power of artificial intelligence, a closer look reveals diverging paths in its adoption. The US is a research powerhouse, home to the generative AI breakthroughs. However, a different narrative is unfolding elsewhere, particularly in how these advancements are being integrated into the broader economy. Innovation doesn’t follow a single path. How AI evolves - and how we choose to integrate it - will shape industries, communities, and opportunities