As an analyst with a background in media studies and experience living through the digital age’s transformation, I am both excited and concerned about the role social media plays in our lives and society as a whole. The democratization of information and entertainment brought about by platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube is undeniably a game-changer. However, the challenge of balancing free expression with censorship to protect users from harmful content and prevent the spread of misinformation remains a pressing issue.
For many years, mainstream media served as our primary provider of information, amusement, and current events. But with the arrival of social media, the control over what we access and engage with has shifted to us.
Social media has shattered the barriers of access to information and entertainment once held exclusively by a privileged few. The emergence of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube underscores this democratization of knowledge and amusement in the 21st century. Information has become a valuable commodity, open to all.
Based on data from Smart Insights’ report, approximately 5.04 billion people worldwide engage with social media platforms, underscoring its significant reach and capacity to shape global trends and behaviors.
Observing the dynamic landscape of social media, I cannot help but notice the significant changes it brings about. Yet, amidst this transformation, one persistent issue continues to pose a challenge for social media platforms: effective censorship.
Social media censorship significantly impacts the way we access information, with a few individuals deciding what content gets eliminated from public view. However, despite the widespread opposition to it, social media censorship offers several benefits. It safeguards users by filtering out offensive content such as hate speech, violence, and misinformation. Furthermore, it hinders the dissemination of illegal or dangerous activities, including child exploitation and terrorism. In addition, censorship has been utilized in various developing countries to maintain law and order.
As a researcher studying the impact of censorship, I’ve discovered that when misapplied, censorship can significantly restrict the ability to express ideas and access diverse viewpoints. A notable instance is the extensive censorship of COVID-19 related content across social media outlets like Facebook and Instagram. Thousands of posts discussing the virus were removed or suppressed in what has been described as an “unprecedented crackdown on falsehoods and misinformation.”
As I observe the ongoing debate, the fundamental issue persists: How ought large tech companies handle censorship, and does it fall upon them to decide what constitutes acceptable speech in the digital realm?
Governments’ misuse of censorship on social media platforms
In the mid-2000s, social media gained widespread use without much need for censorship since people weren’t overly concerned about its far-reaching consequences. However, by 2024, social media has evolved into a powerful instrument. It sparked revolutions, altered election outcomes, shaped policies, and intensified public scrutiny.
Social media’s role has come under closer examination by various governments globally, leading to increased censorship. This suppression of free speech, creativity, and information exchange on social media is a concern for many. Previously celebrated as tools for democratization and platforms for activism, social media sites have taken on a more ominous role, serving as instruments of fear and surveillance in countries with histories of repression.
These countries, including Pakistan, Iran, China, and Russia, have taken action to restrict access to the encrypted messaging app, Telegram, due to perceived threats to their respective national security. Previously, China has also prohibited the use of Twitter and Facebook, while VPNs granting access to these social media sites have been forbidden.
In some nations, social media platforms are strictly prohibited outright, while in others an unusual form of control known as “subtle censorship” has emerged. For instance, rather than imposing an outright ban on X or Twitter, Saudi Arabia has adopted an unusual approach to managing these platforms.
In recent developments, the popular social media platform, Twitter, which is widely utilized to promote gender equality in Saudi Arabia, underwent a transformation within the nation.
The Saudi government responded by enlisting individuals and automated accounts to harass activists on Twitter, as detailed in a 2017 New York Times article. In Riyadh, employees were instructed to engage in online debates concerning topics such as the Yemen conflict and women’s rights.
A New Age of Anti-Censorship and Freedom of Speech
I’ve noticed a concerning trend of governments misusing censorship to restrict freedom of speech and expression. In response, it’s essential that social media users have complete autonomy over their speech. Fortunately, the advent of blockchain technology offers a solution. With blockchain, users can own and manage their data without any third-party interference – be it from governments or tech companies.
As an observer, I’d describe it this way: Phaver is a revolutionary Web 3 social app that puts users in control of their own social network. This decentralized platform operates under a permissionless and non-custodial ecosystem, enabling users to access their information directly without any censorship or interference from third parties. Based on blockchain technology, Phaver extends the internet’s freedom by allowing anyone with an internet connection to interact and share information freely and directly.
Users on the platform have the ability to share posts to decentralized blockchain social networks, specifically Aave’s Lens protocol and CyberConnect, once they have created and linked their on-chain decentralized profiles for expanded visibility and unchangeable record keeping.
As a researcher studying decentralized social media platforms, I’d like to highlight that Phaver offers more than just anti-censorship and decentralization benefits. It empowers users by giving them the ability to monetize their content and optimize their online socializing experience. In other words, they regain control over their posts and can earn rewards in return. Additionally, similar to Reddit, Phaver enables users to establish private communities governed by their own rules and on-chain assets.
Significantly, users have the ability to exchange encrypted messages directly between wallets, avoiding any intermediary that could potentially suppress their right to free speech and expression.
As an observer, I’d put it this way: Phaver functions as a “Web 2.5” application, enabling users to sign in just like they would with common social media platforms. Notably, there is no requirement for a digital wallet upfront. Instead, Phaver guides newcomers to the Web3 world gradually.
What does the future hold for Web 3 social platforms?
The next generation of social media on the web will probably feature more decentralized structures, greater control for users, and creative applications of blockchain technology. Debates over censorship are likely to persist throughout this decade, but Web 3 social media platforms will present a fresh take on online interaction.
The prospect of next-generation Web 3 social media platforms brings excitement for features like decentralization, heightened privacy, and more power given to users in managing their data. Nevertheless, there are hurdles to overcome such as ensuring scalability, making them user-friendly, and dealing with regulatory issues before these platforms can become widely accepted.
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2024-04-26 13:57