Social Media’s Original Gatekeepers On Moderation’s Rise And Fall
Jan 27, 2025
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Del Harvey, former Twitter VP of trust and safety, shares insights on the evolution of social media moderation. Dave Willner, ex-head of content policy at Facebook, discusses the early challenges in defining community standards. Nicole Wong, a First Amendment lawyer and legal director at Twitter, weighs in on the balance between free speech and platform safety. They explore the shift from hands-off policies to strict moderation, the impact of misinformation during crises, and the growing role of AI in content policing.
The podcast discusses the evolution of content moderation highlighting the impact of decisions made by social media leaders on user safety.
Experts reflect on past incidents like Gamergate and the Rohingya genocide, emphasizing the need for proactive safety measures in social media design.
The panel debates the balance between free speech and user protection, stressing that allowing harmful content poses significant safety risks.
Deep dives
The Role of Trust and Safety Experts
The podcast features three key figures in content policy and trust and safety from major social media platforms: Del Harvey from Twitter, Dave Willner from Facebook, and Nicole Wong from Google. These experts were instrumental in shaping guidelines and policies that have governed user interactions online for over a decade. Their roles, while critical, often go unnoticed, as they aimed to create a safer internet amidst rising challenges. However, recent shifts in social media policies by leaders like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have raised concerns about the erosion of those safety measures.
Meta's Recent Policy Changes
The discussion highlights Meta's recent decision to eliminate fact-checking and reduce the oversight of hate speech, particularly targeting marginalized communities. Dave Willner notes that removing algorithms designed to detect potential misinformation drastically alters how content spreads through the platform. This change could exacerbate the circulation of harmful content, especially in echo chambers where like-minded individuals reinforce one another's views. The potential consequences of these policy changes could lead to significant real-world harm, echoing past instances of social media influence on events like the Capitol riots.
Historical Context of Content Moderation
The conversation dives into the evolution of content moderation, referencing significant historical moments like Gamergate and the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar. Del Harvey reflects on the inadequacies of early content moderation practices at Twitter, which lacked the tools to effectively manage harmful speech. Nicole Wong brings attention to the lessons learned from these past incidents, underscoring the importance of proactive measures in building safer social media environments. The experts agree that trust and safety must be integrated from the initial design phase of products, rather than merely reactive measures in response to harm.
The Challenges of Enforcing Trust and Safety
The panel discusses the complex challenges posed by the desire to maintain free speech against the need for brand safety and user protection. They argue that platforms often struggle to balance their responsibility to enforce rules while allowing open dialogue. Willner shares his evolving thoughts on the ramifications of allowing harmful content under the guise of free speech, stressing that freedom should not come at the expense of safety. The difficulty arises from the lack of clear strategies for effectively moderating content without infringing on individual rights.
The Future of Content Moderation and AI
Artificial Intelligence is seen as a potential tool for enhancing content moderation, should it be implemented responsibly alongside human oversight. Del Harvey emphasizes that while AI can bolster efficiency in identifying harmful content, its success relies heavily on how it is utilized. The participants express skepticism regarding the motivations of tech leaders, like Elon Musk, who may prioritize profit and influence over ethical standards. The discussion concludes with cautious optimism about the future, acknowledging that advancements are necessary but must be handled carefully to prevent further harm.
Since the inception of social media, content moderation has been hotly debated by CEOs, politicians, and, of course, among the gatekeepers themselves: the trust and safety officers. And it’s been a roller coaster ride — from an early hands-off approach, to bans and oversight boards, to the current rollback and “community notes” we’re seeing from big guns like Meta, X, and YouTube.
So how do the folks who wrote the early rules of the road look at what’s happening now in content moderation? And what impact will it have on the trust and safety of the platforms over the long term? This week, Kara speaks with Del Harvey, former head of Trust and Safety at Twitter (2008- 2021); Dave Willner, former head of Content Policy at Facebook (2010-2013); Nicole Wong, a First Amendment lawyer, former VP and deputy general counsel at Google (2004-2011), Twitter's legal director of product (2012-2013), and deputy chief technology officer during the Obama administration (2013-2014).
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram and TikTok @onwithkaraswisher