Word censorship and ethical responsibility

In today's digital world we are all living in a networked society. These networks exert power and control over society as they work to constitute the fundamental pattern of life by organizing the ideals and values of society. They do so by structuring the production, consumption, communication and power of a network. Communication theorist Manuel Castells explains this idea of a network as “a set of interconnected nodes”. Every component of a network is a node and its function and meaning depend on the programming of the network and on its interaction with other nodes in the network. Recently, a tiktok creator has posted a video that exposes the structured nodes that function behind the network that is TikTok. The creator noticed that the app works to censor the word “unvaccinated” when creating the text captions on its videos, revealing TikToks pro-vaccine secret. This discovery brought about a mixed reaction within the TikTok community as some users expressed anger, arguing that the app was “controlling the narrative”, “manipulating audiences” and “taking away freedom of speech”. 


Question: What is your opinion on TikToks use of word censorship? Do you think this type of manipulation violates the ethical responsibility of the tech industry? Should apps be allowed to structure their networks like this?


Tiktok Video Link (may have to be viewed on an iphone in order to see the captions) : https://www.tiktok.com/@natgasson/video/7065988775603604738?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7080552908030363142


Comments

  1. Peter ClancyMarch 30, 2022 at 6:43 PM

    Hey great post!
    I think that the use of word censorship can be applicable in a lot of situations on social media apps when its used to cover up derogatory terms and things like that but in the case that you brought up I don't think it's necessary. There has been so many debates over the vaccine and this type of censorship can actual be a form of discrimination against people who don't have the vaccine. When it comes to politics I feel like apps shouldn't feel the need to use word censorship like this and it should really only be used for curse words and things along those lines.

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  2. Claire DavidsonApril 8, 2022 at 9:59 PM

    Great post! My opinion in regard to word censorship on TikTok is that I think it can be helpful in certain situations but not in others. I think it is helpful when censoring curse words and slurs but I think due to this uses can abuse the censorship tool and begin to block words that they personally dislike, which can cause for annoyance amongst other users. I think that all apps should be able to use these censoring tools as it really depends on the user and the situation and words in which they choose to censor- if it makes them comfortable they are not harming anyone. I don't personally believe these manipulations violate the ethical responsibility of tech industries as users can pick and choose which words are censored on their accounts and profiles, I think that ultimately it is up to the user and what they choose to do with their account and censoring.

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  3. Tyler McRaeApril 12, 2022 at 12:24 AM

    Hi Roslyn!
    Regarding Tik Tok and other social media platforms that use censorpship to try and create a safe collaborative space for everyone to interact and be free actually violates the ethical responsibility behind the tech industry. Growing up when Facebook first started to become a worldwide sensation in the 2010's, social media platforms were constructed around the ideals of libertarianism, valuing liberty, maximum autonomy and political freedom. However, in recent years with platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, we see that these tech companies have much more influence over shaping public opinions and perception. Therefore, creating an authoritarian structure rather than its early ideals on which the tech industry was infamous for (Libertarianism). While I would argue that apps should not be allowed to use censorship or at least to the degree we see today, the public does not have much say or influence as just like any other tech company or organization, it is funded by governments and private businesses which ultimatley shape peoples consumption of news, beliefs and opinions by a set of principles and ideals. Most tech companies and start ups are very democratic or heavily funded by democratic people who then secrelty disguise this type of cencorship as a step towards a more libertarian network when in reality does the opposite.

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