Around 71% of Americans get their news from social media. Many people now get their daily news from a few favorite posts. But that may not be an accurate picture of what’s happening in our world. This is thanks to censorship from major tech giants.
While you may not notice content missing from your life, the ramifications are major. And for a society that already distrusts “mainstream media,” having a distorted picture is even worse. Read on to learn how Big Tech censorship is affecting users.
Limited Freedom of Expression
Big Tech companies can get rid of material or make it less visible without giving clear reasons. When they take down content, users can’t share their ideas, thoughts, or views on certain platforms. Also, when the material is shadow-banned, users can’t be heard because their content doesn’t reach many people.
Decentralization in Web3 could be a way to deal with the fact that Big Tech control limits people’s freedom of speech. Click here to learn more about what is decentralization in web3.
Echo Chambers and Polarization
Technology censorship can lead to echo chambers and make polarization worse in many ways. Even though censorship is often used to stop harmful content and false information, it can have unintended consequences that make it harder for people to see things from different points of view and deepen ideological differences.
Impact on Innovation
Innovation often involves trying things out, making mistakes, and trying again. When platforms have strict rules about what you can and can’t post, people and groups may be less ready to try out new formats. They might also be less likely to try out new technologies or ways to express themselves because they might break the rules.
Chilling Effects and Self-Censorship
Big Tech control can have chilling effects and make people feel like they can’t or don’t want to share their thoughts, views, or ideas freely, which can make them self-censor.
When you self-censor yourself, you may not say what you want to say or change how you say it if you think your content could be deleted, punished, or cause a backlash. This makes the conversation smaller and less interesting.
Selective Enforcement
Content guidelines can be open to different interpretations, which can make implementation inconsistent. The same content could be interpreted in different ways by different censors or algorithms, leaving users confused and frustrated.
When certain kinds of content are flagged or taken down, the people who made them may change the way they write, use images, or approach their work to get around automatic detection systems. This can lead to unexpected results, like content that still breaks the rules but is made to not be found.
Learn About How Big Tech Censorship Affects You
Censorship has a large impact on users as it affects what they can access and thus their ability to access information. Free Speech and Privacy are rights that are being threatened by Big Tech censorship.
It’s time for Big Tech to reassess the power of censorship that they currently hold and consider the implications of their actions. Users should know their right to vote with their wallets and make mindful decisions when buying from Big Tech.
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