Algorithmic Censorship by Social Platforms: Power and Resistance
Authors
Publication Date
2021-12Journal Title
Philosophy and Technology
ISSN
2210-5433
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
34
Issue
4
Pages
739-766
Language
en
Type
Article
This Version
VoR
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Cobbe, J. (2021). Algorithmic Censorship by Social Platforms: Power and Resistance. Philosophy and Technology, 34 (4), 739-766. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-020-00429-0
Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Effective content moderation by social platforms is both important and difficult; numerous issues arise from the volume of information, the culturally sensitive and contextual nature of that information, and the nuances of human communication. Attempting to scale moderation, social platforms are increasingly adopting automated approaches to suppressing communications that they deem undesirable. However, this brings its own concerns. This paper examines the structural effects of algorithmic censorship by social platforms to assist in developing a fuller understanding of the risks of such approaches to content moderation. This analysis shows that algorithmic censorship is distinctive for two reasons: (1) in potentially bringing all communications carried out on social platforms within reach and (2) in potentially allowing those platforms to take a more active, interventionist approach to moderating those communications. Consequently, algorithmic censorship could allow social platforms to exercise an unprecedented degree of control over both public and private communications. Moreover, commercial priorities would be inserted further into the everyday communications of billions of people. Due to the dominance of the web by a few social platforms, this may be difficult or impractical to escape for many people, although opportunities for resistance do exist.</jats:p>
Keywords
social platforms, content moderation, automation, surveillance, algorithmic governmentality
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P024394/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R033501/1)
Identifiers
s13347-020-00429-0, 429
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-020-00429-0
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/331821
Rights
Licence:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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