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Measure internet censorship

221 points · 162 comments · Bluestein

  1. howunfortunate · · focus · HN ↗
    Hmm.

    I'd wager the vast majority of internet censorship is within platform, like that done by Reddit mods.

    The most egregious example I've seen in my lifetime was when old Twitter decided to censor a NYPost article, down to blocking sharing in DMs.

    It seems that type of example is entirely missed here. Is there any attempt to capture that signal?

    1. Bluestein · · focus · HN ↗
      As a thought exercise, could it be captured?
      1. howunfortunate · · focus · HN ↗
        Depends on the platform. On Reddit, definitely yes, as almost all censorship is "deletion style" where the target post or comment is initially visible until the mods suppress it.

        But your point is well taken, it's definitely more challenging and expensive than what's being done here.

        1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
          That used to be the case on Reddit, not any more as about half of all accounts start off shadowbanned and mods approve their posts.
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