Unmoderated Insights

Unmoderated Insights focuses on understanding the impact of social technologies on society, emphasizing data-driven perspectives over dogma. It discusses misinformation, social media regulation, political polarization, and the challenges of online content moderation and safety.

Misinformation Social Media Regulation Political Polarization Content Moderation Tech Company Accountability Digital Ethics Election Integrity User Safety

The hottest Substack posts of Unmoderated Insights

And their main takeaways

US Political Violence in Context

39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political violence Social media Public Opinion Political polarization
  1. Political violence in the US has been increasing, especially since 2020. It is reported to be at the highest levels since the early 1900s.
  2. Social media seems to play a role in this rise of political violence. More people are using it to organize violence than before, especially since 2021.
  3. The US has seen a big shift in attitudes, with more adults supporting the use of violence for political goals. This shift is concerning and reflects growing polarization.

How Polarization is Turning Disagreement into Danger

59 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political violence Polarization Misinformation Public Safety Radicalization
  1. Political polarization is growing, and it's leading to more violence and threats. People are starting to think that violence is a valid way to solve problems.
  2. Researching misinformation has become dangerous for some scientists. They face threats just for studying and sharing information about it.
  3. The environment around political debates is getting more heated, affecting everyday people who aren't even involved in politics. They can easily become targets just because of their work.

Fixing the Web Week Recap: 5/20/24

99 implied HN points • 21 May 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Privacy AI Ethics Tech regulation Digital Rights
  1. There's growing concern about deepfake videos during elections, as they can mislead voters. People can easily create fake videos that look real, making it hard for social media to verify what’s true.
  2. Tech companies are required to share their data, but many are making it harder to access it. This could lead to fines if they don't comply with new regulations.
  3. The European Union is leading the way in regulating tech companies more effectively than the US. They are gathering experts to tackle tech issues, which can teach other countries about better oversight.

Fixing the Web with Warning Labels?

59 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Public Health Policy Analysis Censorship
  1. The U.S. Surgeon General is suggesting that social media should have warning labels. This idea is controversial because it assumes social media only causes negative effects, while it can also have positive impacts.
  2. Warning labels might not stop people from using social media and could even backfire by making them more curious or anxious. Past experiences with fear-based campaigns show that they don't always work as intended.
  3. These warning labels might shift focus from the companies responsible for harmful designs to the users, putting pressure on parents instead of changing how social media platforms operate.

Fixing the Web without the Stanford Internet Observatory?

39 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Misinformation Public Policy Social media Child safety
  1. The Stanford Internet Observatory did important work to study online abuse and misinformation, helping inform lawmakers and create tools for research.
  2. Unfortunately, it closed after facing legal troubles, which affected its ability to continue funding and operations.
  3. Despite the closure, some projects and research from the Observatory are being handed over to other organizations to keep the work going.
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Is the impact of generative AI on elections overblown?

4 HN points • 03 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Misinformation Media Technology Governance
  1. Many claims about AI messing up elections are being exaggerated. So far, real events have had a bigger impact than AI-generated content.
  2. Misinformation isn't new, but AI makes it easier to create and share harmful content quickly. The real issue lies in how platforms handle this content.
  3. Companies should improve their systems to control harmful content and support election integrity. It's not just about AI—it’s also about the responsibility of social media platforms.

Fixing the Web Week Recap: 5/27/24

39 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🕹 Technology Social media AI User engagement Civic engagement
  1. Social media feeds often rank content based on how much people engage with it, but this can lead to promoting harmful or low-quality information. It's better to rank content based on diverse engagement from a variety of users.
  2. Research shows that when diverse groups engage with content, it helps point out harmful posts. If a lot of different people express concerns about a post, it’s likely low-quality.
  3. Using smarter ranking methods can improve the overall user experience on social media by reducing bullying and misinformation, which can help companies grow in the long run.

Fixing the Web by Laying Off the Fixers?

19 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Social media User Experience Tech Layoffs
  1. Tech companies are laying off a lot of workers, especially those who help keep online spaces safe from harmful content. This may save money short-term, but it could lead to bigger problems later.
  2. With fewer safety experts, harmful content like hate speech and misinformation has increased on social media platforms. This is making users unhappy and could push them to other platforms.
  3. The cuts are also hurting businesses that rely on advertising on these platforms. If users keep leaving, advertisers will too, which threatens the financial stability of these companies.

Share your unmoderated insights in our new subscriber chat

19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Social media Communication Mobile Apps Digital Tools User engagement
  1. A new subscriber chat is available on Substack for discussions and insights. It's like a group chat where everyone can join in.
  2. You can use the chat to share thoughts, ask questions, or talk about topics like data and social technology.
  3. To join the chat, you need to download the Substack app and look for the chat icon to start connecting.

Fixing the Web EU Election Week: 6/6/24

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Integrity Social media Disinformation Regulation Democracy
  1. Social media algorithms can spread misinformation during elections. This happens when engagement-based systems show users harmful or divisive content, increasing risks to democratic processes.
  2. Platforms need to be more transparent about their content moderation and algorithm functions. The EU has the power to demand evidence on how platforms manage harmful content, which can help hold them accountable.
  3. The EU's Digital Services Act has rules to protect against harmful online content. It can empower regulations that ensure safer elections and encourage tech platforms to take responsible actions during critical voting times.

Fixing the Web Independence Day Edition

0 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Social media Data Privacy Cybersecurity Online Culture Digital marketing
  1. Mark Zuckerberg is under pressure from many lawsuits and investigations about how his company handles user safety, but he's still making headlines with flamboyant summer videos. It feels like a disconnect from the serious issues he's facing.
  2. There's ongoing work to gather data about social media's impact in countries like Poland, Kenya, and Somalia, aiming to understand users' experiences better. This could lead to important insights and improvements.
  3. Research is being done into how to react to toxic political content online, focusing on counterspeech as a potential solution. This could help create a healthier online environment.

Coming soon: Unmoderated Insights

0 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🕹 Technology Social media Data Analysis Human behavior Digital Trends Online Communication
  1. The blog focuses on breaking down complex topics into simple explanations. It's meant for people who like understanding things without the confusion.
  2. It emphasizes the importance of data over beliefs, especially regarding social technologies and their impact on our lives.
  3. The author invites readers to subscribe and share the blog with others who might enjoy it or benefit from it.