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I don't know who needs to hear this, but I'm really struggling to make sense of this moment in content moderation so if you maybe are too, hi there.
.... okay, this turned into a thread, so here:
.... okay, this turned into a thread, so here:
In some ways, it's a long overdue reckoning. But if you think process and transparency is important, like I do, it's hard to feel really excited about how this is all going down. Important decisions are getting buried in this whirlwind as companies try for short term wins
I also keep thinking about a conversation I had with an ad agency rep at a consultation on Facebook's Oversight Board. He said to me, incredulous, "you don't understand, they don't listen to us on their rules and content moderation at all!!"
To which my response was, and remains, "um... good?"
Commercial power is not the way we want these things decided.
I am grateful to the activists and think there's some really important wins and goals in their campaign. At the same time...
Commercial power is not the way we want these things decided.
I am grateful to the activists and think there's some really important wins and goals in their campaign. At the same time...
History tells us that this is a fickle way to protect minority rights. Not just *history* history, but, like, content moderation history too. These ad boycotts were nowhere to be seen before this cultural moment where it's also a brand win.
In particular, emerging markets and unpopular minorities have long struggled to get our attention. And I suspect they will again soon.
Also, some stuff ad companies don't want their ads to run next to should absolutely be protected.
Also, some stuff ad companies don't want their ads to run next to should absolutely be protected.
As Ogunnaike of @ColorOfChange says, we need long term change across *all* platforms
"The big issue overall — & it’s an issue w/ Facebook, w/ Twitter, w/ Reddit, w/ Twitch — is how you build out the infrastructure to do this all the time. "
(read this) https://www.theverge.com/21308248/facebook-anti-racism-activists-bans-policies-advertisers-justice
"The big issue overall — & it’s an issue w/ Facebook, w/ Twitter, w/ Reddit, w/ Twitch — is how you build out the infrastructure to do this all the time. "
(read this) https://www.theverge.com/21308248/facebook-anti-racism-activists-bans-policies-advertisers-justice
Commercial pressure feels like the only lever available right now, so I guess we pull it. At the same time, it's just such a indictment of institutions and I worry commercial pressure won't get us long-term changes or align with proper procedural protections
It all feels a bit like council clean up day, where people are putting out some trash to make it look to their neighbors like they're spring cleaning but don't look too close bc what they're throwing out is somewhat arbitrary and they still haven't addressed *that* bottom drawer
Focusing on one platform, or one account on that platform, should not let us forget the fundamental problem. We need transparency, accountability & due process across the board. & we need our institutions to step up. Commercial power is a fickle friend.
#StopHateForProfit
#StopHateForProfit
Should also add, I'm not convinced that that ad agency rep was right that Facebook doesn't listen to them. And that often that's exactly part of the problem.
Or, at the very very least, the fact that we don't know how much Facebook listens to them is a problem.
Or, at the very very least, the fact that we don't know how much Facebook listens to them is a problem.
"There’s more to it than misinfo & and hate speech ... Facebook needs to invest more in keeping advertisers away from objectionable content.”
Ad buyers' dfn of 'objectionable' is not likely to be the same as yours btw https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebooks-tensions-with-advertisers-predate-the-boycott-11593560017
Ad buyers' dfn of 'objectionable' is not likely to be the same as yours btw https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebooks-tensions-with-advertisers-predate-the-boycott-11593560017
