The state of content moderation for the LGBTIQA+ community and the role of the EU Digital Services Act

C. Dinar

Abstract: Social media platforms play a crucial role in supporting freedom of expression in today's digital societies. Platforms can empower groups that have previously been silenced. However, platforms also host hateful and illegal content, often targeted at minorities, and content is prone to being unfairly censored by algorithmically biased moderation systems. This report analyzes the current environment of content moderation, particularly bringing to light negative effects for the LGBTIQA+ community, and provides policy recommendations for the forthcoming negotiations on the EU Digital Services Act. This report will show how current content moderation policies are filled with inconsistencies and double standards that often hurt marginalized communities. The report will then address models of content moderation and current EU regulatory approaches, focusing especially on the aims and obstacles of the proposed Digital Services Act. It will provide recommendations on how to build content moderation practices that protect marginalized communities. Ultimately, the report argues that a stronger democratization of content moderation is necessary to build infrastructure that helps gender democracy become a key part of internet culture.