A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation
In recent years, all leading social media platforms have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their content moderation workflows. An increasingly prevalent narrative suggests that algorithms capable of detecting and removing prohibited or harmful content are crucial for ensuring that margina...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Queensland University of Technology
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Law, Technology and Humans |
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| Online Access: | https://lthj.qut.edu.au/article/view/3848 |
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| author | Valentina Golunova |
| author_facet | Valentina Golunova |
| author_sort | Valentina Golunova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, all leading social media platforms have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their content moderation workflows. An increasingly prevalent narrative suggests that algorithms capable of detecting and removing prohibited or harmful content are crucial for ensuring that marginalised groups have equal opportunities to participate in civic discourse. Drawing on feminist theory, this article disproves this narrative. It begins by unpacking the evolution of perceptions of algorithmic content moderation, shining a light on the recent departure from simplistic efficiency considerations towards a more compelling portrayal of AI as a means of fostering a more inclusive dialogue online. It then examines how the use of AI for detecting and removing violative material further marginalises – rather than empowers – women who are seeking to engage on social media. Apart from being unable to properly address online gender-based violence and misogyny, algorithms employed in content moderation often erroneously restrict women’s lawful counter-speech, thus preventing them from contributing to public debate. The article concludes with brief reflections on how the inevitable expansion of technological solutions in content moderation could be aligned with feminist ideals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e9866eddaaa4494594a89dc81d307e37 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2652-4074 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Queensland University of Technology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Law, Technology and Humans |
| spelling | doaj-art-e9866eddaaa4494594a89dc81d307e372025-08-20T03:58:32ZengQueensland University of TechnologyLaw, Technology and Humans2652-40742025-07-0172405210.5204/lthj.38484171A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content ModerationValentina Golunova0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0539-5972Maastricht UniversityIn recent years, all leading social media platforms have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their content moderation workflows. An increasingly prevalent narrative suggests that algorithms capable of detecting and removing prohibited or harmful content are crucial for ensuring that marginalised groups have equal opportunities to participate in civic discourse. Drawing on feminist theory, this article disproves this narrative. It begins by unpacking the evolution of perceptions of algorithmic content moderation, shining a light on the recent departure from simplistic efficiency considerations towards a more compelling portrayal of AI as a means of fostering a more inclusive dialogue online. It then examines how the use of AI for detecting and removing violative material further marginalises – rather than empowers – women who are seeking to engage on social media. Apart from being unable to properly address online gender-based violence and misogyny, algorithms employed in content moderation often erroneously restrict women’s lawful counter-speech, thus preventing them from contributing to public debate. The article concludes with brief reflections on how the inevitable expansion of technological solutions in content moderation could be aligned with feminist ideals.https://lthj.qut.edu.au/article/view/3848aicontent moderationgenderalgorithmsocial mediamisogyny |
| spellingShingle | Valentina Golunova A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation Law, Technology and Humans ai content moderation gender algorithm social media misogyny |
| title | A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation |
| title_full | A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation |
| title_fullStr | A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation |
| title_short | A Misogynistic Glitch? A Feminist Critique of Algorithmic Content Moderation |
| title_sort | misogynistic glitch a feminist critique of algorithmic content moderation |
| topic | ai content moderation gender algorithm social media misogyny |
| url | https://lthj.qut.edu.au/article/view/3848 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT valentinagolunova amisogynisticglitchafeministcritiqueofalgorithmiccontentmoderation AT valentinagolunova misogynisticglitchafeministcritiqueofalgorithmiccontentmoderation |