Evaluation of the handling by the provider of a digital platform

Handling by the provider

Handling by the provider#

General

General#

Large companies that operate powerful social media platforms have an internal set of guidelines that determine whether content reported by a user meets the criterion to be considered critical in its message.

Outsourcing as responsibility avoidance

Outsourcing as responsibility avoidance#

Some companies, such as Facebook, do not employ staff for deletion requests themselves but delegate the editorial classification of the content to external service providers. The employees must have the necessary competence to fulfill this responsibility since an incorrect or faulty procedure in evaluating a deletion request represents a considerable interference in the free formation of the opinion of the individual. Despite an internal catalog of guidelines and requirements created within the company, which defines the framework conditions for critical content, it is doubtful whether every employee has the training to assess or evaluate the content properly.

Health consequences due to critical content

Health consequences due to critical content#

However, the caseworker is periodically confronted with such critical content, which causes a direct impact on consciousness (reaction). Frequently repeated confrontation can lead to the traumatization of the person. The effect of content classified in a gray zone should not be underestimated; it can result in a gradual blunting of perception and thus cause a change in personal values and opinions.

This problem shows that in each case, the practice demonstrated by a company must be questioned as to whether and which journalistic standards are adhered to ensure a high quality of decision-making (research). If a wrong decision is made, which as a consequence removes neutral content from a digital platform, this is similar to the process of censorship.