Algospeak

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Algospeak is the use of coded expressions to evade automated moderation algorithms on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. It is used to discuss topics deemed sensitive to moderation algorithms while avoiding penalties such as shadow banning. As a type of internet slang, [1] Calhoun and Fawcett described it as a "linguistic self-censorship". [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [ excessive citations ]

Contents

The term algospeak is a blend of Algorithm and -speak; [10] it is also known as slang replacement or Voldemorting, [8] referencing the fictional character known as "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named". [11] Algospeak is different from other types of netspeak in that its primary purpose is to avoid moderation, rather than to create communal identity. However, algospeak may still be used in online communities. [1]

In 2022, Forbes reported that almost a third of American social media users reported using "emojis or alternative phrases" to subvert content moderation. [12]

Causes

Many social media platforms use automated content moderation systems to align content with the platform's guidelines, which are often not determined by the users themselves. [2] TikTok in particular uses artificial intelligence (AI) for moderation purposes, in addition to reviewing user reports and employing human moderators. Such AIs are often called "algorithms" or "bots", despite them not following a strict algorithm. TikTok's unequal enforcement on topics such as LGBT and obesity has led a to a view of AI moderation being contradictory and "inconsistent". [1] In addition, AI may miss important context; for example, communities who aid people who struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts may inadvertently get caught in the automated moderation. [5] [1] TikTok users have used algospeak to discuss and provide support to those who self-harm. [13]

Methods

Algospeak uses techniques akin to those used in Aesopian language to conceal the intended meaning from automated content filters, while being understandable to human readers. One such method draws from leetspeak, where letters are replaced with lookalike characters (eg. $3X for sex). [8]

Another method is where certain words may be censored, or in the case of auditory media, cut off or bleeped, e.g., s*icide instead of suicide. A third method involves "pseudo-substitution", where an item is censored in one form, while it is present in another form at the same time, as used in videos. [14]

A similar phenomenon applies to the names of famous individuals, such as politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities, whose names may be censored when typically criticizing or defaming them to avoid detection by bots, trolls, or the supporters of said individuals or in some cases, protecting their identities. (e.g., J*an de la Cr*z for Juan de la Cruz) In its typical use, this practice may associate such individuals as taboo. [15] [16]

Examples

According to New York Times : [4]

Other examples: [18]

See also

Fiction:

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Euphemism</span> Innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn; Klug, Daniel (September 2023). "You Can (Not) Say What You Want: Using Algospeak to Contest and Evade Algorithmic Content Moderation on TikTok". Social Media + Society. 9 (3). doi: 10.1177/20563051231194586 . ISSN   2056-3051.
  2. 1 2 Kendra, Alexia; Calhoun, Fawcett (December 30, 2023). ""They Edited Out her Nip Nops": Linguistic Innovation as Textual Censorship Avoidance on TikTok". Language@Internet. 21: 1–30.
  3. ↑ Lorenz, Taylor (8 April 2022). "Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. 1 2 Delkic, Melina (2022-11-19). "Leg Booty? Panoramic? Seggs? How TikTok Is Changing Language". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  5. 1 2 Kreuz, Roger J. (13 April 2023). "What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge". The Conversation . Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media". Forbes . Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ↑ Klug, Daniel; Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn (2022). "How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok". Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2022. pp. 234–237. doi:10.1145/3543873.3587355. ISBN   9781450394192. S2CID   258377709 . Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Stano, Simona (2022). "Linguistic guerrilla warfare 2.0: On the "forms" of online resistance". Rivista Italiana di Filosofia del Linguaggio (2022: SFL - Language, powers, rights (eds. A. Bertollini & S. Garello)). doi:10.4396/2022SFL13. ISSN   2036-6728.
  9. ↑ Ifeanyi, KC (2022-10-31). "Decoding what algospeak really means for Content Creators". Fast Company.
  10. ↑ Kireeva, Anna (2022). "Neologisms: Sociolinguistic Approach". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4232119. ISSN   1556-5068.
  11. ↑ McCulloch, Gretchen. "Welcome to Voldemorting, the Ultimate SEO Dis". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  12. ↑ Levine, Alexandra S. "From Camping To Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' Is Taking Over Social Media". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  13. ↑ Vera, Valerie (October 2023). "Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Content Moderation on TikTok". Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology. 60 (1): 1164–1166. doi:10.1002/pra2.979. ISSN   2373-9231.
  14. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379119607_TW_su11d3_-Multimodal_Self-Censorship_on_YouTube
  15. ↑ https://works.swarthmore.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1309&context=theses
  16. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379119607_TW_su11d3_-Multimodal_Self-Censorship_on_YouTube
  17. ↑ Brown, Evan Nicole (2021-03-19). "How Nicknames for the Pandemic Became a Popular Online Trend". The New York Times . Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  18. ↑ Tellez, Anthony. "'Mascara,' 'Unalive,' 'Corn': What Common Social Media Algospeak Words Actually Mean". Forbes . Retrieved 2 January 2024.
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