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From Camping To Cheese Pizza, ‘Algospeak’ (using code words to evade detection by content moderation technology, especially when posting about things that are controversial or may break platform rules) Is Taking Over Social Media
Forbes ^ | September 19, 2022 | Alexandra S. Levine

Posted on 10/22/2022 10:09:26 PM PDT by DoodleBob

If you’ve seen people posting about “camping” on social media, there’s a chance they’re not talking about how to pitch a tent or which National Parks to visit. The term recently became “algospeak” for something entirely different: discussing abortion-related issues in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Social media users are increasingly using codewords, emojis and deliberate typos—so-called “algospeak”—to avoid detection by apps’ moderation AI when posting content that is sensitive or might break their rules. Siobhan Hanna, who oversees AI data solutions for Telus International, a Canadian company that has provided human and AI content moderation services to nearly every major social media platform including TikTok, said “camping” is just one phrase that has been adapted in this way. “There was concern that algorithms might pick up mentions” of abortion, Hanna said.

More than half of Americans say they’ve seen an uptick in algospeak as polarizing political, cultural or global events unfold...And almost a third of Americans on social media and gaming sites say they’ve “used emojis or alternative phrases to circumvent banned terms,” like those that are racist, sexual or related to self-harm, according to the data. Algospeak is most commonly being used to sidestep rules prohibiting hate speech, including harassment and bullying, Hanna said, followed by policies around violence and exploitation.

We’ve come a long way since “pr0n” and the eggplant emoji. These ever-evolving workarounds present a growing challenge for tech companies and the third-party contractors they hire to help them police content. While machine learning can spot overt violative material, like hate speech, it can be far harder for AI to read between the lines on euphemisms or phrases that to some seem innocuous, but in another context, have a more sinister meaning.

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Society
KEYWORDS: algospeak; bigtech; censorship; freespeech; internet; pizzagate; socialmedia
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I also read elsewhere, that cupcake emojis are code for people who "died suddenly."
1 posted on 10/22/2022 10:09:26 PM PDT by DoodleBob
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To: DoodleBob

To me, the fun part is when algorithms change text on the fly TO algo in an effort to evade algorithms. The best/worst one I’ve seen so far is “unalived” for “killed”, but there’s also the corn emoji for “porn” and “accountant” for “sex worker”. And that’s just gaming chats! lol


2 posted on 10/22/2022 10:23:20 PM PDT by Retrofitted
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To: DoodleBob

A prophesy youtuber I watch uses “charlie Victor o one niner” when he talks about you know what.


3 posted on 10/22/2022 10:26:37 PM PDT by Mrs.Z ("Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Ps 146:3)
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To: DoodleBob

“…euphemisms or phrases that to some seem innocuous, but in another context, have a more sinister meaning.”

What does Brandon think about this?


4 posted on 10/22/2022 10:30:37 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (The “I” in Democrat stands for “Integrity.”)
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To: DoodleBob

If those you’re trying to insult aren’t in on the code they won’t know they’ve been insulted


5 posted on 10/22/2022 10:33:05 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: Mrs.Z

I haven’t a clue. Context may make a difference


6 posted on 10/22/2022 10:34:54 PM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: DoodleBob

The eggplant emoji?


7 posted on 10/22/2022 10:35:13 PM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: DoodleBob

A day doesn’t go by I don’t see some new “code word” pop up on the ‘net.

99 times out of a hundred I have to look them up to see what they’re talking about, and it’s usually some woke crap.


8 posted on 10/22/2022 10:37:31 PM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America.)
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To: DoodleBob

These companies could also try not censoring and let people say and think what they want.


9 posted on 10/22/2022 10:53:05 PM PDT by Dragonspirit (CNN is the enemy. Ashli Babbitt is the hero.)
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To: Mrs.Z
...when he talks about you know what

I don't.

10 posted on 10/22/2022 11:43:06 PM PDT by Nateman (If Mohammad was not the Anti Christ he definitely comes in as a strong second..)
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To: DoodleBob

Will the use of pig Latin work to throw off the social media monitors? Howa oda heyta hinkta heyta reaa?


11 posted on 10/22/2022 11:54:40 PM PDT by jonrick46 (Leftnicks chase illusions of motherships at the end of the pier.)
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To: Nateman

Then it’s working. Covid-19.


12 posted on 10/23/2022 12:02:23 AM PDT by Redcitizen
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To: Nateman

Charlie Victor o one miner = covid 19


13 posted on 10/23/2022 12:24:16 AM PDT by Mrs.Z ("Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save." Ps 146:3)
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To: ComputerGuy

14 posted on 10/23/2022 1:40:20 AM PDT by gundog ( It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. )
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To: ComputerGuy

I had to look up the eggplant emoji.
It is ‘widely used to represent the penis’.

apparently you can’t say penis on tiktok.
I was the last guy on the planet to know what bling was, I will never learn these new code words.


15 posted on 10/23/2022 1:49:58 AM PDT by Doctor Congo
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To: Doctor Congo

Cheese Pizza apparently means Comet PingPong.


16 posted on 10/23/2022 1:53:03 AM PDT by Doctor Congo
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To: DoodleBob

Oh you see it a lot with some of the YT peeps. AND they will blatantly inform their audience it is algo-speak.

They desperately do not want us communicating with each other. They do not want us knowing what is happening. Years ago they could just keep it out of the media, not they have to battle the social media/internet.


17 posted on 10/23/2022 1:58:58 AM PDT by EBH ( 1776-2021 May God Save Us.)
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To: Nateman

LOL...that’s an easy one.

But many of these influencers risk losing a nice side-hustle in social media if their channels get taken down.

Even religious types, like Pastors, are finding they have to speak in code at times during their homilies or services!

The censorship is oppressive.


18 posted on 10/23/2022 2:04:02 AM PDT by EBH ( 1776-2021 May God Save Us.)
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To: DoodleBob
LET’S GO BRANDON!
19 posted on 10/23/2022 2:06:43 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: EBH

My church has been removed from You Tube.


20 posted on 10/23/2022 2:37:07 AM PDT by gitmo (If your theology doesn't become your biography, what good is it?)
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