Platforms play Politics

How to balance the concept of free speech with the proliferation of fake news, hate speech and online harassment, has proven to be an especially pressing issue for online platforms and social media in 2020.

Not only do platforms have to determine what content is acceptable for their sites, but also have to develop efficient means—whether through human or algorithm-based intervention—to moderate content.

Determinations about acceptability are also fraught with politicization, raise ethical concerns, and are potentially contrary to western principles regarding free speech and censorship.