TIL I was part of the problem by just reporting posts I didn't like

For a long time, I'd hit the report button on social media whenever I saw a political opinion I really disagreed with. I told myself I was just keeping the feed clean. Then, about three weeks ago, I got a notification that a comment of mine was removed for 'hate speech.' All I said was that a new city policy in Chicago seemed poorly planned. That was the tip off. I realized I'd been using 'report' as a super downvote, and the platforms were happy to let me, because it made their moderation numbers look good. My own casual reporting helped create a system that then silenced me for something minor. It made me see the whole 'community standards' process differently. Has anyone else had a moment where they realized their own habits were feeding into the censorship they complain about?

3 comments

3 Comments

brown.simon29d ago

Save reports for actual rule breaks, not just stuff you dislike.

henrygrant2d ago

Chicago's auto mod probably flagged "deep dish" as a food fight keyword.

joelgrant29d ago

Honestly, I get the point, but is it really that deep? Platforms have always had rules, and your one report didn't break the system. Maybe the Chicago thing just got caught by a bad auto mod filter. You really think they're sitting there rubbing their hands together over report numbers?