Content moderation is the process of reviewing and moderating user-generated content on a platform or website to ensure that it adheres to the policies and terms of service and community guidelines. This can include anything from moderating comments on a blog to reviewing photos and videos on social media platforms.
Whether it’s the forthcoming EU Digital Services Act or Elon Musk’s firing of the Trust & Safety team and the T&S Council at Twitter, the team that handles content moderation, the topic of moderation is a discussion millions are having every day.
As someone who works in the Trust & Safety industry, I can attest that the term “Trust & Safety” was unknown to most people until the 2016 US presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. That was a real turning point in terms of general awareness.
The process of content moderation typically starts with the creation of a set of guidelines or rules that outline what is and is not acceptable content for a particular platform. These guidelines may be based on laws, regulations, or industry standards, as well as the values and goals of the platform itself.
Human and Machine Reviews
Once these guidelines are in place, content moderation typically involves the use of automated tools and human moderators to review and approve or remove content. It’s typically a mix of “human and machine” review with each type of content requiring a different approach. Automated tools may be used to flag content for further review, while human moderators are responsible for reviewing flagged content and making the final determination about whether it should be allowed to remain on the platform.
Proactive vs Reactive Moderation
There are several different approaches to content moderation, including proactive moderation, reactive moderation, and a combination of both. Proactive moderation involves reviewing and moderating content before it is made public, while reactive moderation involves reviewing and moderating content after it has been posted.
Proactive moderation is often preferred as it allows for more control over the content that is made available on a platform. However, it can also be resource-intensive and may not be feasible for large platforms with a high volume of user-generated content. Reactive moderation, on the other hand, is generally less resource-intensive but can be less effective at preventing inappropriate content from being made public.
Regardless of the approach taken, the goal of content moderation is to create a safe and welcoming environment for users. This can involve removing content that is inappropriate, illegal, or otherwise violates the terms of service or community guidelines of the platform. It can also involve taking action against users who repeatedly violate the rules, such as banning their accounts or taking other disciplinary measures.
Looking Ahead
In recent years, content moderation has become an increasingly important and controversial topic, as the proliferation of social media and other online platforms has led to an explosion of user-generated content. While content moderation can help create a safer and more welcoming online environment, it can also raise concerns about censorship and the impact of moderating decisions on free speech.
To ensure that content moderation is done in a fair and transparent manner, it is important for platforms to have clear and well-defined guidelines, as well as processes in place for handling appeals and complaints. It is also important for platforms to be transparent about their moderation policies and to engage in ongoing dialogue with their users about the role of content moderation on their platform.
Photo by Matthew Waring
