Internet freedom? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that! The operators of social networks invest a lot of resources in scanning content on their platforms for “harmful” content, deleting it or at least reducing its reach. But the Internet wouldn't be the Internet if creative users didn't find ways, means and words to circumvent such automated interventions by algorithms: they simply speak Algospeak!
What is Algospeak?
As the pandemic pushed more people to communicate and express themselves online in the digital world, algorithmic content moderation systems have had an unprecedented influence on the words we choose, giving rise to a new form of internet-driven Aesopian language. The term goes back to the Greek philosopher Aesop and describes a form of communication that conveys an innocent meaning to outsiders, but gives a hidden meaning to informed members of, for example, a conspiracy or underground movement.
The term Algospeak is a portmanteau of the words or parts of the word Algo for “algorithm” and “Speak”, the English term for speaking. This refers to terms or expressions that social media users use instead of the usual expressions in order to avoid action by the automatically deciding algorithms of content moderation systems or platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, etc. Terms are reformulated, letters are replaced by numbers, syllables are swapped or emojis are used as a substitute.
Would you like a little guessing game? What is meant?
Seggs is only very indirectly a Saxon egg dish, but rather a generic, if not a very general mating term. D1ck may or may not have anything to do with bold, but it is closely related to our first search term. And same-sex female love can be described discreetly or without sanctions as le$bian or even as le Dollar bean . A spicy eggplant aka spicy eggplant is not a vegan recipe, but rather represents a pulsating sedge toy that can be used alone or in conjunction with the long-standing mascara , i.e. partner.
Of course, it's also about terms that have nothing to do with the physical and interpersonal, but rather address social issues that often polarize in the comment threads. The corona pandemic was often coded with Panda Express or Panini when the platforms wanted to avoid heated discussions on pandemic topics right from the start. Do we understand each other? Great, buddy Algo, not yet.
Serious background
Looks funny, but has a serious background. In times where the reach of an account is the most important currency regardless of the platform, where the number of followers determines the “success” of a user, where viral videos can have a decisive impact on life, especially monetarily, but also political systems suppress opinions or want to control, the algorithms of social networks have incredible power.
Which content is displayed and how large? Do you like the artificial intelligence content or do it contain terms that are sometimes penalized by the automated moderation system without regard to the context? With simultaneous imperfection of the machine brain. Everyone knows the problem that supposedly completely harmless content is punished, while at the same time other content that is clearly unacceptable to any human brain can happily be spread virally across the networks.
This is not always logical or understandable. Sometimes amusing, but often damaging to democracy. For example, if refugees are described as “pieces of gold”, the algorithm is often unable to recognize the very negative, xenophobic, sometimes racist connotations in this actually friendly-sounding expression
With Algospeak, this problem takes on a new twist, because here users believe they have recognized critical terms and change their wording so that they are understood by other users, but the algorithm is in the dark or does not even become suspicious. It doesn't matter whether the content is rightly or wrongly on the platforms. Because the question of whether content is permissible or not is a completely different one and among many
factors dependent. If we think about human rights-related topics, coded language takes on a whole new relevance in order to enable a sanction-free social discussion on a broad level that can initiate change.
All platforms affected?
Algospeak basically affects all platforms. Everywhere we find modified or coded terms that clearly serve to circumvent the algorithms. However, TikTok is particularly affected. This is simply due to the algorithm, which works differently than on other, more follower-centered platforms, but rather evaluates the relevance of a post, for example based on its popularity among other users, and decides which and how many users it will be shown to. These can also be users who have not yet had anything to do with the content creator.
TikTok particularly affected
It is precisely this opportunity for viral success that even users with only a few followers have that sets TikTok apart from other platforms and makes it so popular. The more popular a user's content is, the greater the possible reach in the future. With all the consequences, positive and negative, that come with being an influencer.
Unlike other mainstream social media platforms, content on TikTok is distributed primarily through an algorithmically curated “For You” page; Having followers does not guarantee that your own small community will definitely see the user's content. This shift has resulted in average users tuning their videos primarily to the algorithm rather than a following, meaning compliance with content moderation rules is more important than ever.
The smallest violations can lead to massive range restrictions, deletion or even bans. On the other hand, a video that meets the taste of the TikTok community and is completely compliant with the rules has a good chance of going viral. A video that perhaps addresses completely justified social injustices and also articulates them verbally often doesn't even get the chance to be seen. If the user cannot counter the algorithmic filter with Algospeak.
The Shadow Ban Hammer
If the almighty algorithm is dissatisfied with the users' content because they have posted with "critical" terms on polarizing topics such as politics or sexuality, the apps increasingly punish them with "shadow bans" or delete the offending content directly. The shadow ban is particularly perfidious because the posted content is only visible to the creator, but not to the intended target group. However, there is usually no official information about the sanction. However, attentive users who are familiar with the functionality of the respective platform notice that their reach is declining or that their account no longer appears in the news feed of their followers.
Worldwide problem
Algospeak is a global phenomenon. For Germany, research by Tagesschau, NDR and WDR last year showed that words that have enormous relevance in Germany's historical and modern social context are blocked on TikTok. It was shown that comments containing terms such as “homosexual”, “LGBT”, “Auschwitz” and “National Socialism” were sometimes not shown to other users and were therefore apparently blocked.
Nothing really new
And anyone who thinks that coded language to avoid sanctions is an Internet phenomenon is wrong. Adapting language to avoid scrutiny long predates the Internet. Many religions have avoided saying the devil's name lest they invoke him, while people living in repressive regimes developed code words to discuss taboo topics. And there is also a world-famous example of code-speak in recent literature: There was this man, the one whose name must not be mentioned...! And we all immediately see the dark mark in the sky! With the face of VOLDEMORT!
Source:
Washington Post
Already read? A current Mimikama fact check: Criminal network dismantled as part of the international operation “Dawnbreaker”.
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

