The Associated Press is reporting today that millions of Americans are utilizing interpersonal communication as a means to bypass social moderation. According to the AP, a disturbing number of Americans are using casual conversation and word of mouth networking to evade tech moderation, potentially spreading voluminous misinformation and dangerous conspiracy theories.
Pressed to explain what big tech is doing about the problem of interpersonal communication, companies like Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter assured the AP they’re taking the issue very seriously.
“We are aware that there are a number of people who talk with one another on a daily basis who are not subject to any content moderation. They are purposely bypassing all social media to chit chat, make plans, and devise their little schemes, all done out of earshot of our content moderators,” explained Yuri Testicov, Senior Director of Content Compliance for Google.
“Typically, they gather in bars, coffee houses, parks, sometimes even in each other’s homes. In these settings, they’re virtually free to discuss just about any subject they can think of and express any opinion,” said Testicov.
“Various methods of censorship are on the table.” the AP reported. “Requiring cafes, bars, and restaurant owners to employ social moderators to monitor communications at their establishments may be one path forward. Additionally, utilizing Alexas, Dots, smart televisions, and potentially even one’s own smartphone, connected to AI social content moderators, should be looked at very seriously.”
The question of how to get all the nation’s small business owners to comply could prove to be a sticking point.
“Your lack of creativity and imagination puzzles me,” Testicov told the AP. “Do you not see how simple it would be for tech companies to enforce compliance. If any of these establishments has a presence on the web – gone. If they transact electronically by any means – gone. If they purchase supplies electronically, if they have a bank account – gone. If they wish to continue doing business, they will comply. In this sense, it is easier for tech companies to enforce compliance than it would be for government bodies to pass and enforce laws and ordinances.”
Persecuted by pro-censorship groups back in the eighties, the rapper Ice-T once warned, “Freedom of speech. Just watch what you say.” It seems the legacy media and big tech fail to grasp the irony and wholly endorse that sentiment.
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